UEFA Euro Qualifiers: France vs Netherlands Betting Odds

World Cup Finalists France Host the Netherlands

Two of the top six teams in the world, according to the FIFA rankings, face off in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying opener. FIFA World Cup finalists France will host the Netherlands on Friday with both teams in good form. The Netherlands haven’t lost a match outright since June 2021, while France nearly won the World Cup but lost to Argentina in penalties. In what should be one of the best matchups in Euro qualifiers, let’s take a look at the France vs Netherlands betting odds.

UEFA Euro Qualifiers: France vs Netherlands Game Info:

Head-to-Head:

France lead the all-time series 14-11, with three outright draws. Most recently, France and the Netherlands met in November 2018 in the UEFA Nations League. Georginio Wijnaldum and Memphis Depay scored to give the Oranje a 2-0 win. France did win the reverse fixture at home in September 2018, though. In fact, Les Bleus have won five of the last six head-to-head matchups and the France vs Netherlands betting odds price the hosts as favorites once again.

France Still Dealing With Injury Issues

• • Next Match: March 27th at Ireland
  • Key Injuries: D Presnel Kimpembe, D Lucas Hernandez, D William Saliba, M Paul Pogba, M N’Golo Kante, F Christopher Nkunku, F Ousmane Dembele

Injuries hampered Didier Deschamps’ France squad at the World Cup. Christopher Nkunku, N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema, Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe and Mike Maignan were all out for the majority of the tournament. Still, Les Bleus managed to get to consecutive World Cup finals and Kylian Mbappe brilliance nearly made France repeat champions. Some of the playing personnel has changed but Deschamps and the injury problems still remain. All of Nkunku, Kante, Hernandez and Kimpembe are out once again. Meanwhile, all-time appearances leader and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris retired. Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane have also hung up their boots on international football.

France have a bunch of talented defenders that can soften the blow of losing Varane. While William Saliba figures to play a big role in the coming years, the talented Arsenal man is injured as well. So, expect Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano to get minutes at center back. Mike Maignan is also back from injury and could be Les Bleus’ number one keeper for years to come. Where France really shine, is up front. Attacking midfielder Antoine Griezmann and striker Olivier Giroud are still in Deschamps’ plans. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe should overtake Giroud as France’s all-time leading scorer sometime in the near future.

Following the match vs. the Netherlands, France head to Ireland on the UEFA Euro qualifying schedule. Along with the Netherlands and Ireland, Greece and Gibraltar are in Group B. So, it’d be seen as a major failure if Les Bleus don’t finish in the top two and qualify for the final tournament.

Koeman Succeeds Van Gaal for the Netherlands

• • Next Match: March 27th vs. Gibraltar
  • Key Injuries: M Teun Koopmeiners, M Frenkie de Jong, F Steven Bergwijn

Ronald Koeman, who managed the Netherlands from 2018-2020 is back as the boss of Die Oranje. He succeeds Louis van Gaal, who led the Netherlands to the World Cup quarterfinals. The Netherlands took Argentina to the brink as the Oranje only lost in penalties. Forward Cody Gakpo emerged as a breakout star in the tournament and earned a big move to Liverpool in January. Along with Gakpo, Koeman can call on second all-time leading scorer Memphis Depay, Wout Weghorst, Donyell Malen and Ajax man Brian Brobbey in forward areas.

In his first stint as the Netherlands’ manager, Koeman posted a 11-5-4 record and left his post to manage Barcelona. Some of the players who were mainstays under Koeman are still around, which means there’s a certain familiarity around the team. With Nathan Ake, Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt in defense, it’s no wonder the Dutch have kept four clean sheets in their last seven internationals. Like France, it’d be a huge disappointment if the Netherlands don’t finish in the top two of the UEFA Euro qualifying Group B soccer standings.

It is concerning, however, that Frenkie de Jong is not available due to injury. Teun Koopmeiners would be a prime candidate to slot in defensive midfield but he’s also out of the squad with an injury. Kenneth Taylor, Marten de Roon and Georginio Wijnaldum could all see more time as a result. Koeman has also handed a few players their first-ever call ups. That includes GK Bart Verbruggen, defenders Sven Botman and Lutsharel Geertruida, midfielders Mats Wieffer and Joey Veerman and striker Brian Brobbey.

Match Analysis and Odds:

These are two high-level teams that’ll both want to start off their qualifying campaign with all three points. The problem for the Netherlands is that they haven’t defeated France on French soil since 1936. The France vs Netherlands betting odds price the Oranje as ½-goal underdogs and +325 moneyline underdogs. France, who lost to both Denmark and Croatia at the Stade de France in 2022, come in as -115 ATS and moneyline favorites. The Netherlands also show -115 odds to cover the spread in what could be a tight matchup.

Draws have been rare in this fixture as of late as the last seven meetings have finished with a winner. The Netherlands won the last meeting, in November 2018, which broke a five-game losing streak vs. France. Ronald Koeman has stated his intentions to return to a 4-3-3 formation which could mean a matchup between Mbappe and Netherlands right back Denzel Dumfries. Mbappe will fancy his chances against virtually any defender but Dumfries is experienced.

The Netherlands are on a 20-match scoring streak which Les Bleus will try to put to an end on Friday. Along with France missing some defenders, both teams have scored in five of their last seven matches. Still, under 2½ goals are priced at -130 odds for this match. A first draw in this fixture since 2004 also comes in at +245 odds.

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