Verdict: Holland win
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Germany will be looking to get their new era off to the best possible start when they face the Netherlands on Sunday.
Holland
Starting with the hosts, while Holland may have failed to book their spot at both EURO 2016 and last year s World Cup Finals, the former European powerhouses appear to be refinding their form. Now under the guidance of former international captain Ronald Koeman, the Oranges find the mood in their camp the highest it has been in recent memory. Picking up a 4-0 win over Belarus in midweek and getting their 2020 European qualifiers off to a winning start, Holland really started to catch the eye during their exploits in the inaugural UEFA Nations League. Sharing a group with both Germany and recently crowned World Cup winners France, Koeman s men surprised may by topping League A Group 1 and booking a semi-final showdown with England this summer. Holland should also be boosted by their recent record against their bitter-rivals. Along with picking up a 2-2 draw when the two sides met in Germany in the final Nations League contest, the Oranges picked up a thumping 3-0 win over the Whites when they met at the Johan Cruijff Arena back in November, arguably their best performance under Koeman.
Team News
Since he announced his squad, Ronald Koeman has not had any players withdraw from it however Lyon s Kenny Tete suffered a hamstring injury against Belarus and is doubtful for this game.
Marten de Roon was substituted at half-time in the same m but that was for tactical reasons.
Germany
As for the visitors, while Holland might be enjoying quite the resurge, the same can not be said for an incredibly inconsistent Germany. With long-time boss Joachim Löw forcing the likes of Mats Hummels, Thomas Muller, and Jerome Boateng into international retirement, Die Mannschaft are still enduring a woeful 12 months. Finishing bottom of their group out in Russia last summer, a group that they shared with the likes of Mexico, South Korea, and Sweden the former World Champions were also relegated from League A in the last year s Nations League. Failing to win any of their four group outings, Germany once again faltered to deceive in midweek against a Serbia side missing some of their biggest stars. Slumping to a 1-1 draw in Wolfsburg on Wednesday, Löw s side have remarkably picked up just three victories in their last 16 matches across all competitions. Along with showing a string of defensive issues in front of Manuel Neuer s goal, their form on the road has been nothing short of abysmal. Including their 2-0 loss against South Korea last summer, they have lost their last four matches away from Germany and have not picked up a victory on their travels since November 2017.
Team News
Joachim Low has had a squad overhaul, recently ending the international careers of Bayern Munich trio Thomas Muller, Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels.
Key Factors to Consider
The last time Germany traveled to the Johan Cruijff Arena they suffered a 3-0 loss back in November.
Sunday s visitors have lost their last four matches away from Germany.
Holland have won their last four matches on home soil, scoring 11 goals and conceding just one in return.
Germany have picked up just three victories in their last 17 matches across all competitions.
The Whites have recorded just two clean sheets in their last 15 appearances.
Conclusion
Given the newfound confidence in Holland s camp and booking their spot in the semi-finals of this year s UEFA Nations League, Koeman should see Sunday as the perfect chance to make another statement. Picking up a 3-0 win when they last faced Germany on home soil, we re backing a struggling Die Mannschaft to endure another difficult afternoon on the road. Given the recent gulf in class between the two, we re backing another Holland victory at the Johan Cruijff Arena.
Verdict: Holland win
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