If game two is anything like game one then the Johan Cruyff Arena will be witness to another pulsating tie.
In their previous game, the Dutch side threw away a 2-0 lead before scoring a late winner against Ukraine, to make it six wins from their last eight games.
With a much superior head to head you would think that Frank de Boer’s men have nothing to worry about W9, D4, L6. They come into this tie with three straight head to head wins scoring three goals each time.
Netherlands are 1/57 to win the game and Austria are 6/0 to win the game.
- Previous defensive record:
Goals aplenty can be expected as both teams scored three in their first games. The Dutch side conceded two where Austria only conceded one.
Denzel Dumfries’ (Netherlands) winner against Ukraine, assisted by Nathan Ake, was the Netherlands’ first goal since March 2018 to be assisted and scored by a pair of defenders. Sunday’s only other goal from a defender came via Stefan Lainer (Austria), with their first strike before halftime coming at a Euro finals. The Mönchengladbach man now boasts two wins in as many previous goalscoring internationals.
There seem to be no injury worries for either side, but Marko Arnautovic is suspended.
Netherlands possible line-up: Stekelenburg; Dumfries, Timber, De Vrij, Blind, Van Aanholt; De Roon, Wijnaldum, F. De Jong; Depay, Weghorst
Austria possible line-up: Bachmann; Lainer, Dragović, Hinteregger, Ulmer; Laimer, Schlager, Alaba; Sabitzer; Kalajdzic, Baumgartner
Managers view:
Frank de Boer, Netherlands: “Austria have been on the rise for many years. [David] Alaba is a familiar name, and [Marko] Arnautović too. Important players and big names. Many of them play in Germany. They have unity, and are very difficult to beat.”
Franco Foda, Austria: “One thing is clear: we still need points to qualify for the round of 16. This is exactly what we need to keep doing; the boys won the [opening] game and made history.”
Last six form guide (most recent first):
Netherlands: WWDWWL
Austria: WDLLWD
As both teams just about came through as winners in matchday one and sit pretty with three points each, it could be a very open game yet this could be the make or break as to who ends up in first place in this group.
But both teams are no doubt in high spirits and as Austria found some last-minute energy it is possible that a shock could be on the cards in this group.
Avid football fan and worldwide football journalist/reporter!
