Poland vs Netherlands: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Poland's Euro 2024 opener against the Netherlands promises to be a closer contest than many anticipate. Despite the Netherlands winning four of their last five encounters, they've struggled to secure convincing victories, suggesting Poland can put up a strong fight. Robert Lewandowski's goal-scoring prowess and Xavi Simons' attacking intent for the Dutch add to the intrigue. The history between these teams, marked by a high number of yellow cards, hints at a potentially feisty and disruptive encounter.

While the Dutch are favored due to their superior overall quality, Poland's resilience and Lewandowski's threat should keep them competitive. The match is likely to be tight, with both teams finding the back of the net. Ultimately, the Netherlands' attacking depth and individual brilliance could prove decisive in securing a narrow victory.

We predict Poland 1 - 2 Netherlands

Poland take on the Netherlands in their opening game of Group D at the European Championships. In a tough group alongside Austria and France, both Poland and the Netherlands will be eager to get three points on the board.

• Date: 16/06/2024
• Kick-off time: 14:00
• Location: Volksparkstadion

The Netherlands have been a hit-or-miss side recently, with a long run in the 2022 World Cup but also failing to qualify for competitions, something they’ll look to prove wrong this summer. Poland have also disappointed on the big stage, with the Euros potentially being their last with Lewandowski.

Poland have struggled at the European Championships, only competing in four tournaments so far. Their first appearance in the competition was back in 2008 and since then they have only made it out of the Group stage once, in 2016 where they made the Quarter-finals.

In qualifying Poland were drawn into Group E with Albania, the Czech Republic, Moldova, and the Faroe Islands. In eight games Poland managed three wins, two draws, and three losses, leaving them on 11 points and out. However, their Nations League form won them a spot in the Play-offs. Wins over Estonia and Wales gave Poland a spot in the final tournament.

The Netherlands have competed on ten occasions in the Euros. They have lifted the trophy once back in 1988 also in Germany and have made the Semifinals three times. Last time out in 2021, the Netherlands only made it to the Round of 16, and in 2016 they failed to even qualify.

In qualifying the Netherlands were in Group B with France, Greece, Ireland, and Gibraltar. In eight games the Netherlands picked up six wins and two draws, leaving them on 18 points, four points behind France.

This will be the 20th meeting between Poland and the Netherlands, with the first meeting coming back in an international friendly in 1968. The Netherlands have the better record in the fixture with nine wins in comparison to Poland’s three wins, the other seven games ending in a draw.

The last five games in this fixture have seen four wins for the Netherlands and one draw. This fixture usually sees both sides on the scoresheet with seven of the last nine games having both sides find the back of the net.

Poland Team News

Michal Probierz has called upon the familiar faces of Juventus’s Wojciech Szczesny in goal, Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior, Brighton’s Jakub Moder and Barcelona’s Lewandowski, however, the latter will miss his side's opening game against the Dutch.

Netherlands Team News

Ronald Koeman suffered a major blow to his Euro 2024 plans as it was confirmed that Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong will miss the competition. The Netherlands will have the other usual suspects available though, such as the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake, Matthijs de Ligt, and Gini Wijnaldum. Teun Koopmeiners and Jeremie Frimpong have also made the squad after impressive seasons with Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen respectively.

In their last five games in all competitions, Poland have five wins.

The visit from Latvia for an international friendly saw Przemyslaw Frankowski give Poland the lead in the seventh minute. Lewandowski then doubled the lead just minutes into the second half to give Poland the 2 - 0 win.

The Semifinal of the Euros qualifiers Play-offs saw Poland host Estonia. Frankowski struck first again for Poland before Maksim Paskotsi was sent off for Estonia before halftime. Goals from Piotr Zielinksi, Jakub Piortrowski and Sebastian Szymanski along with an own goal from Karol Mets gave Poland the 5 - 1 win, with Martin Vetkal scoring late on for Estonia.

The Final saw Poland take on Wales. Poland failed to register a single shot on target as the game stretched through extra time without a goal even with the late red card to Wales’ Chris Mepham. Poland converted all five of their penalties and a miss from Dan James gave Poland the 5 - 4 win.

Another international friendly saw Poland host Ukraine. Sebastian Walukiewicz, Zielinksi and Taras Romanchuk all scored before the half hour mark and even with a goal from Artem Dovbyk before half time, Poland held on for the 3 - 1 win.

The last time out for Poland was against Turkey. Karol Swiderski opened the scoring for Poland but Baris Alper Yilmaz equalised for Turkey with 15 minutes to go. However, Nicola Zalewski popped up with a goal in the 90th minute to give Poland the 2 - 1 win.

In their last five games in all competitions, the Netherlands have four wins and one loss.

The trip to Gibraltar for the last game of the qualifiers saw a hat-trick from Calvin Stengs and goals from Mats Wieffer, Koopmeiners and Cody Gakpo to give the Netherlands the 6 - 0 win.

An international friendly saw the Netherlands host Scotland. Tijjani Reijnders, Wijnaldum, Wout Weghorst and Donyell Malen all scored in the 4 - 0 win for the Netherlands with Scotland having just two shots on target.

The Netherlands took an early lead against Germany as Joey Veerman scored in the fourth minute. However, Maximilian Mittelstadt equalised in under ten minutes and Niclas Fullkrug added another with just minutes to go to give Germany the 2 - 1 win.

The next time out against Canada saw another 4 - 0 win for the Netherlands. Memphis Depay, Frimpong, Weghorst and van Dijk all scored as they restricted Canada to just two shots.

The most recent outing for the Netherlands was against Iceland. Goals from Xavi Simons, van Dijk, Malen and Weghorst gave the Netherlands another 4 - 0 win.

Poland vs Netherlands will be broadcasted on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the U.K. but the game can also be followed online on BBC Sport or Sky Sports.

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