Netherlands vs Belarus (Pick, Prediction, Preview)

Netherlands - Belarus

Netherlands gets Friday, October 7, visit Belarus in a match counting for the 2018 World Championship preliminaries Group A dispute can be seen live on Digi Sport 2, starting at 21:45.

Missing qualification to the European Championship in France was one of the biggest surprises in recent years at the level of national teams. However, if no name “Netherlands” at Euro can be classified as being unexpected, not the same can be said regarding actual developments from the previous qualifying campaign, launching ground performance in more desirable. Incidentally, the game unconvincing and poor results led to the change of coach, Danny Blind (Blind Daly’s father, Manchester United defender) replacing Guus Hiddink.

Things have improved in the last year, “Clockwork Orange” accounting for 5 wins, two draws and three defeats in the previous 10 games, highlighted by the fact that Sneijder & co. managed to score in all these parties, with a general average of 2.1!

The 1988 European champions are in a moment of transition in which the exchange of generations is reflected pretty much in team performances. However, the game of the inaugural round of the current campaign was one encouraging, the Dutch managed in a draw (1-1) in Solna, to huddle in dense rows representative of Sweden, held 65% and 9 consigned sutures space portions (6 more than Scandinavians) speak for themselves.

Friday’s game is an extremely important band in the Netherlands, victories at home are absolutely necessary in order to fight with France and Sweden.

Former member of the Soviet Union impressed lately, the performance of 7 matches unbeaten succeed in reaching the peak of the previous 8 matches in the preliminary round that opened, Belarus obtaining a goalless draw at home against France.

Devoid of large individual value, the team coached by Aleksandr Khatskevich focuses on closing down spaces, standing out in thick lines defensive organization. If we look over the results of the games mentioned above, we find that the average number of goals is very low (1.11). However, outside of France, the rest adversaries were not valued.

direct meetings

The two selected have met six times, winning four Dutch meetings and two Belarusians (including the final, 2-1, in qualifying for Euro 2008). The aspect that most stands out is related to safety that the Benelux showed a host posture, Netherlands imposing in all three direct meetings with Belarus which were played in front of their fans: 3- 0, 3-0 and 1-0.