Time is running out for teams in 2020 European Championship qualifying and we could be in for a close finish in Group C. As things stand, Netherlands lead the group on 12 points, with Germany in second on 12 points and Northern Ireland in third place, also on 12 points.
The teams are separated on head-to-head points and head-to-head goal difference and it could come down to something like this at the end to split the teams. However, Netherlands have the opportunity to open a 3 point gap over Northern Ireland when they play their game in hand at Belarus.
The match will be played at the Dinamo Stadium, in Minsk on the 13th October.
Belarus cannot qualify from the group but do have a playoff place to fall back on thanks to the Nations League. They have just 4 points to their name having won one and drawn one of their six games played. All 4 points have come against Estonia who sit bottom of the group, with a 2-1 away win and 0-0 home draw.
The four defeats have come at Netherlands, Northern Ireland and at home to Germany and Northern Ireland.
Trends show Belarus have won just one of their last seven matches, losing five. At home, they have failed to win in their last four attempts, with just two wins in their last nine. Belarus have failed to score a goal in each of their last four on home soil.
Netherlands came back from a goal down in their last match at home against Northern Ireland to win the game 3-1. It seemed like there was going to be a shock on the cards when the visitors took the lead after 75 minutes but 3 goals in the final 10 minutes gave the home side the victory they needed.
That result means Netherlands have won four and lost one of their five matches played in the group. The one defeat came at home to Germany but they reversed that result in the away fixture against the Germans, winning 4-2 in what was their best result for some time.
YES! 3-1! Memphis!#NEDNIR pic.twitter.com/GmoNUo7S0o— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) October 10, 2019
YES! 3-1! Memphis!#NEDNIR pic.twitter.com/GmoNUo7S0o
Trends show Netherlands have won each of their last three games and are undefeated in nine of their last eleven in all competitions. They have won their last two away matches but they are their only wins in their last eight on the road.
Team news and Belarus have plenty of experience at the back with Alyaksandr Martynovich and Dzyanis Palyakow having over 100 caps between them but have little in the way of a threat in attack.
Netherlands could hand a start to Donyell Malen in attack following his appearance from the bench on Thursday night. Matthijs de Ligt and Virgil van Dijk are expected to play in central defence.
Away games are not always easy but Netherlands should have enough to win this one. With their quality in defence, expect to see the Dutch keep a clean sheet and take home maximum points.