UEFA Euro Qualifiers: Netherlands vs Greece Odds, Preview
Group B Clash in Eindhoven
Netherlands Side Full of Talent
During the last international break in June, the Netherlands participated in the UEFA Nations League finals. Even though they were hosts, the Oranje lost in both the semifinal and third-place games. They’ll look to bounce back on Thursday when they host a hard-nosed Greece side in a UEFA Euro Qualifier. Greece played France close in June and could make things interesting here. We’ll look at the Netherlands vs Greece odds for a key Group B contest.
UEFA Euro Qualifiers
Netherlands vs Greece
Date & Time:
Location: Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands
Head-to-Head:
This has typically been a one-sided affair, as the Netherlands holds a 7-1-1 record vs. Greece. Greece got their first-ever win in this fixture the last time these teams met, in a 2016 friendly. Still, the Netherlands have outscored Greece 20-3 in their nine meetings all-time. This is the first of two meetings on the Euro 2024 schedule for qualifiers.
Netherlands Struggling Under Koeman
- Standings: 1-1, 4th Group B
- Next Match: Sep. 10 vs. Ireland
- Key Injuries/Suspensions: GK Justin Bijlow (Out), D Jurrien Timber (Out), F Memphis Depay (Out)
Since Ronald Koeman started his second spell as Netherlands manager, the Oranje are just 1-3. They’ve conceded 11 goals in the four games he’s been at the helm. Despite playing at home in June’s UEFA Nations League finals, the Oranje lost in both the semifinals and third-place games. They fell 4-2 to Croatia in extra time in the semis and 3-2 to Italy in the third-place match.
The Netherlands is in one of the more competitive Euro 2024 groups for qualifiers but has only played two games so far. The Oranje fell 4-0 to France in their first qualifying match. The Netherlands also got an easy 3-0 win vs. Gibraltar but still need as many points as possible, with six matches remaining.
Memphis Depay won’t be starting up top for the Netherlands, as he’s nursing an injury. Koeman will have to rely on Wout Weghorst and Cody Gakpo for goals. The Netherlands has been conceding a lot lately but has quite an experienced defense. Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake, Matthijs de Ligt, and Denzel Dumfries are healthy and available. Quilindschy Hartman, Ian Maatsen, and Micky van de Ven all received their first call-ups.
Greece Improving Under Poyet
- Standings: 2-1, 2nd Group B
- Next Match: Sep. 10 vs. Gibraltar
- Key Injuries/Suspensions: D Dinos Mavropanos (Questionable)
Greece has been impressive defensively for the last couple of years. They’ve conceded just four goals in their previous 10 matches in all competitions and have kept six shutouts during that time. Greece also hasn’t conceded more than one goal in a match since losing 2-0 to Sweden in October 2021. They’re 3-0 against the spread in Euro 2024 qualifiers so far, but the Netherlands vs Greece odds price the visitors as underdogs for this one.
What Greece lacks is a prolific striker, and that has been the case for some time now. However, both Giorgos Masouras and Anastasios Bakasetas have scored twice in qualifiers so far. Unfortunately, they may be missing defender Dinos Mavropanos due to injury. The former Stuttgart man recently signed for West Ham but is yet to appear for the London club.
Kostas Tsimikas is another one of Greece’s best players and is a shoo-in to start at left-back. Meanwhile, Masouras has started off the Greek Super League season excellently. He currently has three goals in three matches for Olympiacos. However, he’s scored just six goals in 31 matches for Greece.
Match Analysis and Odds:
On paper, the Netherlands are certainly a better team than Greece. Still, Greece doesn’t make things easy for their opponents, and their defensive record is seriously impressive. They only conceded one goal vs. France and will certainly feel they can keep this match close as well. Right now, the Netherlands vs Greece odds list the host Netherlands as a -227 moneyline favorite.
The Oranje -1, -1.5 displays -105 odds for this one, as Greece +1, +1.5 comes in at -125 odds. Even if they don’t win the match, a point would be massive for Greece and keep them right in the thick of the qualifying race. A draw shows +355 odds but Greece hasn’t drawn a competitive match for just over two years.
The visitors are also +620 underdogs for this match and are without any iconic victories on the road for quite some time. However, Greece did manage to draw 1-1 with Spain in World Cup qualifiers. The Netherlands certainly has strength in depth and creative young players like Xavi Simons and Noa Lang. Both over and under 2.5 goals display -115 odds as it’s unclear whether the Oranje will have success breaking Greece down.
