Euro 2024: Netherlands x Austria, Match Preview, Odds and Predictions(25/06/2024)

On Tuesday, the Netherlands will face Austria in their final Group D match, with a mere one point necessary to guarantee their status in the elimination phase of Euro 2024.

The sides will meet in Berlin, where the Oranje have four points after their stalemate with France. Ralf Rangnick's squad, which previously defeated Poland, must now prevent defeat in order to have a strong chance of reaching the last 16.

Netherlands x Austria Team News

Ronald Koeman should have a fully equipped squad at his disposal for the Netherlands' final group fixture, as Brian Brobbey, an Ajax striker, returned to the sideline for the France game after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Koeman's sole alteration on Friday was the introduction of Jeremie Frimpong instead of PSV midfielder Joey Veerman. However, additional substitutions will undoubtedly be contemplated with one foot already in the last 16.

The fact that Veerman and his clubmate Jerdy Schouten are one booking away from suspension may be a minor factor in team selection, potentially opening the door for Ryan Gravenberch or Georginio Wijnaldum.

Wout Weghorst will endeavor to replace Memphis Depay, which is five goals short of matching Robin van Persie's record for the Oranje, at the front.

In the interim, Austria's manager, Ralf Rangnick, has adjusted his starting lineup in anticipation of the victory over Poland. Consequently, it is difficult to predict whether there will be any additional alterations on Tuesday.

Max Wober and Kevin Danso were the central defenders against France; however, Gernot Trauner and Philipp Lienhart were selected for the most recent match. Trauner's fitness is uncertain due to his subsequent departure due to a muscular issue following his opening goal.

Christoph Baumgartner is expected to retain the 'Man of the Match' award. Marko Arnautovic, the all-time leading scorer, will again compete with Michael Gregoritsch to lead the Austrian attack.

Head To Head And Previous Matches

On Friday night, the Netherlands held tournament favorites France to a 0-0 draw, bringing them one step closer to their primary objective of reaching the quarterfinal phases for the eighth time in their last nine European Championship appearances.

Xavi Simons appeared to have given his team the lead in the 69th minute by striking into the bottom corner after France custodian Mike Maignan had denied Memphis Depay, even though neither team could break the impasse in Leipzig.

Nevertheless, after a protracted V.A.R. review, the strike was ultimately disallowed for offside. Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries was found to have interfered with Maignan's lunge, resulting in a furious reaction from Ronald Koeman. Despite this, his team was able to reach the last 16 narrowly.

The Oranje will ensure first place if they win and France fails to deliver against Poland, despite having previously defeated Poland 2-1 in their opener. They will also secure a spot in the top two of Group D if they avoid losing to Austria.

In the interim, Koeman's team will still secure the second position if they draw and France wins. Four points are sufficient to advance as a third-place finisher, even in a loss.

The Netherlands have maintained an unblemished record in group matches at international tournaments since the 2014 World Cup, winning nine of 11 and scoring in each game except Friday's goalless match against Les Bleus.

Austria was defeated 2-0 at Euro 2020 during that period, with Depay and Dumfries scoring at the Johan Cruijff Arena. A highly regarded Dutch squad would now advance to the next phase with ample margin for error if they were to replicate their performance.

Austria has suffered their most extended ongoing sequence against a single opponent, losing their last seven matches against the Netherlands, including a defeat in Amsterdam three summers ago.

Their most recent triumph over the Oranje occurred in May 1990. However, concluding this barren streak on Tuesday evening may be necessary to guarantee their qualification for the last 16.

Austria will clinch the Group D title if they accumulate the maximum points and France fails to do so. However, if they draw and the French suffer a defeat, the Austrians will instead finish third based on their head-to-head record.

The Das Team could advance to third place by accumulating one point, enabling them to participate in the European Championship quarterfinal stages for the second consecutive year. 

That would be a remarkable accomplishment, given that they could not advance beyond the group stage in their first two appearances, first as hosts in 2008 and then again eight years later.

Two players recalled to the starting lineup were on the scoresheet as Ralf Rangnick's team recorded a vital 3-1 victory over Poland on Friday afternoon, following their defeat to France in their first match at Euro 2024.

Gernot Trauner scored the first goal, and Christoph Baumgartner scored Austria's second goal following a cunning deception from Marko Arnautovic. Arnautovic secured all three points from the penalty spot with 12 minutes remaining.

The Austrians have won back-to-back games at significant finals for the first time since 1982 when they returned to the iconic Olympiastadion following their 3-1 victory in Berlin.

Our Predictions

Full time draw

Austria may need to resort to their conventional high-intensity approach to insist on triumph, as their necessity for victory is greater.

The Netherlands may not be able to fully capitalize on any voids at the back in the absence of a clinical finisher. However, a draw could advance both teams to the last 16.

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