2019 UEFA Nations League Odds and Pick: Netherlands vs England
- Three Lions hunt first major trophy since 1966
- Dutch hungry after missing World Cup 2018 and Euro 2016
- Four-team shootout at Finals in Portugal
England begin the next stage of their quest to win something tangible for the first time since 1966. They’ll meet the Netherlands in the second semifinal of the UEFA Nations League in Portugal on Thursday, June 6, 2019 at Stadio Alfonso Henriques, Guimareas, at 2:45 pm EST.
As they seek their first prize since winning the World Cup 53 years ago, England are slight favorites to defeat the Dutch at +152 in full time.
The Netherlands are rated at +174 to win and reach Sunday’s final of the new tournament.
Netherlands vs England Odds
| Team | Spread | Win | Total | Odds to Advance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | pk,+½ -132 | +174 | Ov 2½ +105 | +105 |
| England | pk,-½ +112 | +152 | Un 2½ -125 | -135 |
| Draw | N/A | +215 | N/A | N/A |
Odds taken at 06/04/2019.
Revival Under Southgate
After years of under-achievement, England’s national side has been revitalised by the management of Gareth Southgate.
They were World Cup semifinalists last year. They have also scored ten goals in their most recent two performances.
Holland will be seeking to restore their lost pride at the four-team Nations League competition after failing to qualify for the past two major tournaments
A thumping 5-1 defeat of Montenegro away from home in the European Championships qualifying tournament in March followed a 5-0 hammering of the Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium.
Stepping up the intensity ahead of the #NationsLeague finals ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/NQf8z07I4U
— England (@England) June 3, 2019
Holland will be seeking to restore their lost pride at the four-team Nations League competition after failing to qualify for the past two major tournaments. This included the 2018 World Cup and the 2016 European Championships.
A draw after 90 minutes looks a promising investment at +215. England are then -135 to advance to the final on Sunday while the Netherlands are rated at +105.
Champions League Fatigue Factor
Fatigue may play a part in this semifinal. Seven members of the England squad were involved in last weekend’s Champions League final between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. Two members of the Netherlands squad – Virgil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum were also involved.
The fortunes of the once-powerful Netherlands team have improved since former player Ronald Koeman was appointed as coach in February, 2018. But their qualification for these finals in Portugal included defeats of Germany and France.
Liverpool's Champions League heroes Van Dijk and Wijnaldum given standing ovation as they join Holland squad for England game https://t.co/6nNXDxT4iq
— Sun Sport (@SunSport) June 4, 2019
However, they were beaten 3-2 by the Germans in their most recent fixture in the European Championship qualifying tournament in March in Amsterdam. That followed a 4-0 defeat of Belarus.
These are the first finals of the Nations League which was introduced by UEFA as an alternative to international friendlies.
Hosts Portugal meet Switzerland in the opening semifinal on Wednesday.
These are the first finals of the Nations League which was introduced by UEFA as an alternative to international friendlies, many of which had become tedious and meaningless.
The qualifying rounds took place last autumn before the beginning of the separate European Championships qualifying tournament in March.
Semifinalists Are Elite Group Winners
The four Nations League semifinalists were each group winners of the elite League A division of the new competition. It features 12 leading nations split into pots of three teams.
Each nation played each other at home and away to decide the group winners.
England finished top of Group 4 with a campaign which included a historic 3-2 victory away in Spain – their first triumph there for 31 years.
Liverpool heroes Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold hug Tottenham pair Harry Kane and Eric Dier as England stars are reunited after Champions League final https://t.co/BmBxOfpvsY pic.twitter.com/3PDjCAibpw
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) June 4, 2019
They also gained a small amount of revenge for their defeat in the World Cup semifinal by beating Croatia – their last four opponents in Russia. The 2-1 win at Wembley last October clinched their place in these finals.
Koeman’s Netherlands side achieved qualification for Portugal more narrowly.
Dutch Wins Against Germany and France
Their campaign in Group 1 included a 3-0 win at home to Germany and a 2-0 victory at home against World Cup winners France.
They drew 2-2 with Germany in the final qualification match in Gelsenkirchen as they recovered from a 2-0 deficit with two goals in the final five minutes.
Holland’s goal-difference was better, having been beaten 2-1 in Paris but won 2-0 at home.
This meant they advanced to the finals based on their head-to head results against France.
Ronald Koeman: ‘We’re a country that will always produce good young players.’ By @ed_aarons https://t.co/ZqIpW5yQ4X
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) June 4, 2019
Both teams had achieved seven points. But Holland’s goal-difference was better, having been beaten 2-1 in Paris but won 2-0 at home.
Pick: Draw +215
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
