Netherlands vs Spain prediction: EUROPE: UEFA Nations League – League A – Play Offs betting tips on match 2025-03-19 19:45.
[p]The UEFA Nations League (UNL) quarter-finals are finally upon us and one of the standout pairings sees the Netherlands pitted against defending champions Spain. The Dutch will enjoy home advantage in the first leg at Feyenoord’s De Kuip as they seek to establish an advantage in the tie and attempt to better their fourth-place finish in 2023 and their runners-up medal in 2019 in this competition. [/p]
[p]Ronald Koeman’s men qualified for the last eight by virtue of a second-place finish behind Germany in UNL Group A3 (W2, D3, L1), and it was their defence that held them back as they were breached seven times in those six games – the most goals they’ve conceded during a UNL group stage. The Oranje will look to tighten up ahead of this tie and maintain their fine recent record against Spain, conceding just three times and losing only once in the five H2Hs this century (W3, D1).[/p]
[p]That Spanish win came in the 2010 World Cup final, and fast forward 15 years and La Roja are still one of the very best teams in world football. In fact, they could very well be the most in-form nation at the moment after losing just one of their last 25 internationals (W22, D2), a run that includes their maiden UNL title in 2023 and a fourth crowning as European Championship winners over the summer of 2024. [/p]
[p]Luis de la Fuente’s men have surged from tenth in FIFA’s world rankings in September 2023 up to third, and should they continue their current trajectory, it won’t be long until they’re challenging Argentina for the number one spot. That’s particularly true if they can extend their impressive five-match winning run in the UNL, all of which saw Spain score at least once after the break. [/p]
[p]Key battle: Denzel Dumfries was superb for the Netherlands in the UNL group stages by scoring three times, taking his tally for his country to nine, all of which have arrived after half-time. His primary focus here could be keeping Nico Williams quiet considering he’s scored all four of his goals for Spain on foreign soil. [/p]
[p]Hot streak: There have been over 3.5 goals scored in each of the Netherlands’ last six games on home soil.  [/p]
[p][i]Written by Peter Stavrinou[/i][/p]