Having lifted the World Cup for only the second time this summer in Russia, France are riding the crest of a wave at the moment and are the team to beat in international football.
On Friday night they travel to a Netherlands side looking to rebuild after a difficult few years knowing that one point will be enough to confirm Les Bleus as the victors of this Uefa Nations League group.
Read on for Netherlands v France live stream options, team news, predicted XIs, stats and TV channel info.
When is Netherlands v France?
Competition: Uefa Nations League
Venue: De Kuip, Rotterdam
Date: Friday, 16 November
Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Match preview
France are the team to watch in international football right now having become world champions in Russia this summer. Didier Deschamps has found the perfect way for his team to be well set-up defensively yet still allow the individual talents of players like Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe to flourish and it’s working to devastating effect at the moment.
It was a slow start to the campaign really in the group stages, with narrow victories over Australia and Peru followed up with a bore draw against Denmark, before they exploded into life with a 4-3 round-of-16 victory over Argentina. Following on from that, Les Bleus eliminated Uruguay and Belgium before overcoming Croatia 4-2 at the Luzhniki Stadium to lift the most coveted trophy in football for only the second time.
For their Friday night opponents the Netherlands, this summer was an altogether different experience. One of the most famous names in international football having reached the World Cup final on three occasions in the past, it was a strange sight for football fans everywhere to see de Oranje fail to make this summer’s tournament as they finished behind Sweden and indeed France in their qualifying group.
Having failed to qualify for the European Championships two years earlier, it’s been a difficult few years for the Netherlands and after failed spells for Danny Blind and Dick Advocaat, former Everton boss Ronald Koeman has now come in and under the 55-year-old, there has been an upturn in form and the team have lost just one of their last eight games, the reverse fixture of this UEFA Nations League clash against the world champions France back in September.
As things stand, the Netherlands can still finish top of the group, but they need to win here and then win away against rivals Germany in the final game of the group on Monday night. As such, a draw in this game will be enough to confirm Les Bleus as group winners and after the Netherlands beat Die Mannschaft 3-0 in the other fixture, it would almost certainly condemn Joachim Low’s men to relegation into the second tier.
Where can I watch live?
Netherlands v France can be viewed by UK residents on Sky Sports Premier League, channel 402 on Sky and channel 502 for Virgin Media users.
The game is also available to watch on fuboTV.
How are France managing to avoid a World Cup hangover?
Despite having to face tough fixtures against Germany and the Netherlands, France still look as hungry as ever after winning the biggest prize in international football and remain unbeaten since lifting the trophy in Moscow back in July. With the vast array of talent available in Deschamps’ pool, there’s a feeling that very few of the French players have a nailed on spot in the squad and as such, said players have to continue playing at a high level to remain in contention. The head coach has little reason to alter things after the great success of this summer’s tournament but he’ll continue to give players chances and keep things fresh whilst remaining true to the principles that took them all the way to glory in Russia just two years after the bitter disappointment of losing the Euro 2016 final on home soil.
Are the Netherlands on their way back under Ronald Koeman?
The shoots of recovery are certainly there. The Netherlands have struggled to bridge the gap between the start of a new era and the end of one that has seen the likes of Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie phased out of international duty in the last couple of years. There are some incredibly talented young players being blooded by Ronald Koeman at the moment though including Ajax duo Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt and they come into this match having lost only one of their last eight in all competitions. That 3-0 win over rivals Germany has really boosted the feel-good factor surrounding de Oranje and although a return to ‘Total Football’ seems unlikely, Koeman is building a functional, potentially excellent side for his country at the moment.
How will the French midfield line-up without Paul Pogba?
Paul Pogba is undoubtedly the star turn of the France midfield but Didier Deschamps has no shortage of options as he looks to temporarily replace the Manchester United man for this match. Moussa Sissoko was a key performer in France’s run to the Euro 2016 final on home soil and returns to the squad after some improved form for Tottenham Hotspur in recent weeks, but the fact he was drafted in as a replacement perhaps shows that he won’t be in Didier Deschamps first team plans for this game. Youngster Tanguy Ndombele may be thrown in but it’s more likely that Deschamps will use Blaise Matuidi in a more central position and select one of his talented attacking players in the wide left slot.
Head-to-head
That meeting in the reverse fixture ended in a narrow 2-1 win for Les Bleus in a party atmosphere for their first home game following the World Cup victory in Russia. Kylian Mbappe put the hosts ahead in the first half, before Ryan Babel equalised for the Netherlands. Olivier Giroud eventually secured the victory with a 74th-minute strike.
That was the 27th meeting between the two sides and there have been some classics over the years, in particular the 3-2 win for the Netherlands at Euro 2000. France have had the better of their European rivals in recent years though, winning the last five meetings between the two sides.
France wins: 14 Draws: 3 Netherlands wins: 10
Team news
The France squad will be missing some big names for this difficult trip to Rotterdam. Les Bleus will be without key midfielder Paul Pogba and his Manchester United team-mate Anthony Martial. Alexandre Lacazette was called up as a Martial replacement but has also been confirmed as unavailable along with Manchester City full-back Benjamin Mendy.
The Netherlands have made some alterations to their squad too, with Marco Bizot and Javairo Dilrosun both looking to win their first caps. Regular squad players Eljero Elia, Jeffrey Bruma and Daryl Janmaat whilst Roma starlet Justin Kluivert has also not been selected.
Predicted France XI: Lloris; Pavard, Kimpembe, Varane, Hernandez; Kante, Matuidi; Mbappe, Griezmann, Dembele; Giroud.
Predicted Netherlands XI: Cillessen; Dumfries, De Ligt, Van Dijk, Blind; Wijnaldum, F. De Jong, Strootmanl; Promes, Depay, Babel.
Squawka Prediction
The Netherlands look like a team on the rise at the moment and without Pogba, this French side don’t look quite as dominant in the middle of the park. The visitors are still the better side on paper but the home advantage could be enough to see de Oranje steal a point. 1-1
Predictions and betting tips
1. Match to be drawn @ 12/5
The Netherlands’ defeat to France in the reverse fixture of this clash at the Stade de France was their only defeat in eight games in all competitions. With the home advantage and on the back of a terrific 3-0 win over rivals Germany in their last UEFA Nations League game, we think they’ll be confident of taking a result from this tough fixture.
France have been solid since that famous World Cup victory in Russia this summer, but they have drawn against Germany and Iceland and may not be able to dominate the centre of the park without star man Paul Pogba. The Netherlands have drawn three of their last six games in all competitions themselves so a share of the spoils seems the likely outcome in Rotterdam.
Key Stat: The Netherlands have drawn three of their six matches since the end of last season.
Tip: Match to be drawn @ 12/5 with BetBull – bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (13/11/2018, 16:00)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
2. Kylian Mbappe to score at any time @ 6/4
Kylian Mbappe’s first season at PSG was impressive but he’s taken things to a new level this season. After really impressing at the World Cup this summer, scoring four goals including a brace over Argentina and a lovely strike in the final win over Croatia, the 19 year old has taken momentum into the Ligue 1 campaign and scored 11 times in just nine games in the competition so far this term.
Since returning to international action after the World Cup, the former Monaco man has scored in the friendly draw with Iceland and bagged the opening goal in the reverse fixture of this clash, which Les Bleus won 2-1. We can see him adding his 11th international goal to his tally on Friday night.
Key Stat: Kylian Mbappe has scored six times in his last ten international outings.
Tip: Kylian Mbappe to score at any time @ 6/4 with BetBull – bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (13/11/2018, 16:00)
3. Both teams to score @ 8/13
With so much attacking talent on display for both sides it’s no surprise that we’re backing goals here. The stats back us up too – both teams have found the net in four of France’s last five games in all competitions and five of the Netherlands’ last six, including the last meeting between the two sides in Paris back in September.
When France can call upon the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann in front of goal it’s no surprise that we’re expecting them to score and in Memphis Depay and Quincy Promes, the Netherlands possess two strikers that are perhaps not as feared around Europe but are in terrific form for their respective clubs and will be out to add to their international goal tallies in this game.
Key Stat: Both teams have scored in five of the Netherlands’ last six games in all competitions.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 8/13 with BetBull – bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (13/11/2018, 16:00)
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