The UEFA Nations League semifinal features Netherlands and Croatia at Stadion Feijenoord De Kuip in Rotterdam, Netherlands on Wednesday. Kickoff is set for 2:45 p.m. ET (FS1). Below, we preview BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Netherlands vs. Croatia odds, and make our best soccer bets, picks and predictions.
Netherlands will play without star MF Memphis Depay, as he continues to battle a calf injury and is unfit to play. D Matthijs de Ligt will also be sidelined for this match, and the final, should the Dutch advance, as he also nurses a calf ailment.
This UEFA Nations League A championship playoff features 2 sides which Argentina topped to get to the pinnacle at the World Cup. Both the Dutch and Croatians had a phenomenal tournament in Qatar, and this will be a quality match throughout.
Croatia faces the tough task of playing in Holland, so it will obviously be a very unwelcoming atmosphere for manager Zlatko Dalic’s club. Croatia is unbeaten in its past 3 matches across all formats, including a 2-1 win in the 3rd-place game in the World Cup, and a 2-0 win over Turkey in a EURO qualifier in late March.
Internationally, these teams haven’t met since a friendly in Feb. 2008, with the Dutch winning 2-0.
The only injury concern for the Croats is that of D Josko Gvardiol, who will be inactive with a groin injury.
If MF Ivan Perisic is able to score, he would move past Mario Mandzukic for 2nd-place all-time among Croatian scorers for the national team.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Netherlands vs. Croatia odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:25 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Netherlands -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Croatia +300 (bet $100 to win $300) | Draw +240 (bet $100 to win $240)
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: +110 | U: -150)
World class soccer coverage all in one place: Get ESPN+
Netherlands vs. Croatia picks and predictions
Prediction
Netherlands 1, Croatia 1 (Netherlands wins on penalties)
Moneyline (ML)
I like the DRAW (+240) for a solid value, and a chance to more than double up.
The only concern is that Netherlands (-105) is at home. However, Croatia (+300) has proven time and again in international play that it is a force to be reckoned with, any time and any place. I think Kockasti, which means Checkered Ones due to their famous kit, will push The Oranje to the limit, tied after full time. Don’t be surprised to see this decided on penalties.
Over/Under (O/U)
UNDER 2.5 (-150) is the lean, as I expect a draw after full time.
For Croatia, it has seen a total of 2 goals in each of the past 2 EURO qualifiers, a 1-1 draw with Wales, and a 2-0 win over Turkey.
For Netherlands, it spanked Gibraltar 3-0 in a EURO qualifier, but that’s not terribly impressive considering the world-class players for The Oranje, and well, not so world-class side for the English enclave. Netherlands will have a much more difficult time finding the back of Croatia’s net, and no Depay doesn’t help that effort.
Check out Pro Soccer Wire: For the American soccer fan, USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s website provides a fresh look at the beautiful game.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=53935]
