Matchplug

After missing the last two competitions, the Netherlands got a major boost last weekend when they defeated Germany 3-0 on home soil. While that wasn’t the first time Germany have been beaten in recent months, it is the first time the Dutch have won a game by such a scoreline in a long time, and that would fill them with confidence ahead of this game.

Belgium were eliminated from the World Cup by France at the semifinal stage, in truth they were one of the best teams in the competition and they probably deserved to win the cup. They have continued their push for a trophy before this golden generation of stars begins to retire.

Their win over Switzerland the last time out has placed them on course for the semifinal of the Euro Nations League. Winning that competition would make up for their World Cup disappointment as well as help them earn their first trophy in a long time. They would also have their eyes on  Euro 2020, but how would they perform in this game.

The Netherlands won 3rd place at the 2014 World Cup, but they have seen their neighbours overtake them at the international stage so far. They would be boosted by their last result ahead of this match, but Belgium haven’t lost a home game since Roberto Martinez’s first game as their manager and that makes this a tough game for the Dutchmen.

These two sides last met just over two years ago, and they drew 1-1. It’s been 21 years since the Dutch last beat Belgium.

This game may be a friendly but it would probably turn out to be the most unfriendly of the lot as two of South America’s biggest rivals lock horns at the King Abdullah Sports City Reserve Stadium.

Argentina endured a terrible World Cup that they were only fortunate to reach the knockout stages, however, they were eliminated by France at the round of 16, and several changes have occurred since that time.

Lionel Scaloni has been named their new manager and he has been on an experimentation drive since that time. They have played Guatemala, Iraq, and Colombia since the World Cup and won all but the latter. This game would be a major test for them as they look to impress at the Copa America 2019.

Brazil were eliminated by Belgium at the last World Cup, but Tite remains as their manager and seems to enjoy the support his reputation deserves.

The Brazilians have also not suffered any post-World Cup hangover as they have dispatched USA, El Salvador, and Saudi Arabia in their post World Cup friendlies. They would be hosting the Copa America next year, and the least they can do is win the competition on home soil, so it would be interesting to see how they can perform here.

Germany head to France on the brink of being relegated from this tier of the Uefa Nations League after they suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Netherlands at the weekend. That defeat came at the hands of a team that hasn’t qualified for a competition in the last four years and shows the level of decline the German team has suffered over the past 12 months.

Germany were eliminated from the World Cup at the group stage after losing two group games, and they have defeated only Peru since that time. As a matter of fact, the Germans have won just 3 of their last 12 international games, and they would be short of confidence heading into this game with the World champions.

France has continued their dominance of World football after winning the World Cup in Russia. They recovered from almost suffering a shock home defeat at the hands of Iceland last week to earn a 2-2 draw, and they would be looking to keep that form going in this game.

They earned a goalless draw in Germany in the reverse of this fixture before beating the Netherlands. They have collected 4 points from two fixtures in this competition and a win here would almost certainly ensure qualification for the semifinals.

Germany picked up a 0-0 draw as these two played their first ever game in the Nations League last month. Germany have failed to win all four meetings with France since the 2014 World Cup.