The great thing about the new UEFA Nations League is the fact all the top countries will meet each other in the competition.
UEFA Nations League 1, Group A is a prime example of that and you have 2018 World Cup winners France in a group along with Germany and Netherlands. Unfortunately for the Netherlands, they have been in decline recently and this is an extremely tough group for them.
On the 13th October, Netherlands host Germany in Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam with both teams searching for their first win in the group.
Netherlands started their UEFA Nations League campaign with a tough assignment at World Cup champions France. Things were going well for the Dutch and they were on course to claim an unlikely point until Olivier Giroud struck in the 75th minute to seal a 2-1 win for France.
Despite having failed to qualify for the last European Championship and World Cup, Netherlands have been a tough team to beat. Trends show they have lost only two of their last eleven games, which was the loss in France and a 1-0 defeat at home to England.
Netherlands have won five of their last six home matches but have struggled against high quality teams such as Germany. Netherlands have scored in seven of their last eight home games.
Germany began the UEFA Nations League with a 0-0 draw at home against France. The Germans suffered a rare humiliation at the 2018 World Cup where they were dumped out of the competition at the group stages.
Germany lost 2-0 to South Korea in their final group game of the World Cup and it was their second loss of the tournament. Since that defeat they have played out the 0-0 draw in France and defeated Peru 2-1 at home in a friendly.
Away form is not great for Germany and trends show they have failed to win either of their last two away matches. Joachim Low’s team were held to a 0-0 draw by England and a 2-1 defeat in Austria followed, which was a shock.
Both teams have scored in six of Germany’s last eight away matches, including the games in Azerbaijan, Denmark, Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Austria and Australia, the latter of which was at the Confederations Cup in Russia.
Looking ahead to the team news and Netherlands have plenty of talented players to call upon including Virgil van Dijk, Kevin Strootman, Georginio Wijnaldum, Memphis Depay and Quincy Promes.
Germany have picked a very strong squad for this game including Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Leroy Sane, who missed out on the World Cup.
Netherlands have a long way to go if they are to return to the top of the European game. A win over Germany would be a good place to start. However, the Germans have picked a very strong squad and as they still smarting following their embarrassing World Cup exit, should pick up maximum points.