The Netherlands will host Wales on matchday 4 of the UEFA Nations League. The Dutch lead Group 4 with seven points from nine points on offer.
The Nations League has not been a tournament of success for Wales thus far. The Welsh have picked up a mere one point from nine points on offer.
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The UEFA Nations League tournament started at the same time Wales earned qualification to the World Cup later this year. Wales’ attention was on making the World Cup in the playoffs.
Louis van Gaal’s Dutch are three points ahead of second-place Belgium in Group 4. They have scored eight goals and conceded four times.
Wales are three points off of third-place Poland. Wales are in the relegation zone in Group 4 currently. The Welsh were promoted to League A after the previous Nations League. Their stay in the top league looks likely to end after one campaign.
The Netherlands are unbeaten in 2022 with two wins and two draws. Tuesday’s match in Rotterdam is the second meeting of the UEFA Nations League between these teams.
The first encounter ended in drama as the Netherlands scored in the fourth minute of stoppage-time to win. Netherlands player Teun Koopmeines scored in the 50th minute.
The Dutch were on the way to victory until Wales’ Rhys Norrington-Davies scored in the second minute of stoppage-time. Wout Weghorst popped up to score the winner minutes later.
Since 2008, these teams have met four times in all competitions. The Netherlands are a perfect four wins from four in their games against Wales. Across the teams’ last four matches, the Netherlands outscored Wales 9-3.
Van Gaal started Weghorst in attack against Wales last time around. Cody Gakpo and Noa Lang supported the striker.
Memphis Depay could play in attack to freshen up the side and offer a different type of attack to the ones that started against Wales last time.
For Wales, Keiffer Moore is absent due to injury. His absence is a real blow for the side. Gareth Bale did not start against the Netherlands last time around.
He could get the nod amid increasing interest from clubs across Europe to sign the winger.
The previous meeting between the Netherlands and Wales was rather close with both teams tallying eight shots. Wales had three shots on target to the Netherlands two, but kept 43% possession. The Welsh should play on the counter once more.
Like the previous four encounters between these rivals, the Dutch should pick up the victory on matchday 4 to move to 10 points from 12 in Group 4.