In the final matchday of the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, Gibraltar are set to host Netherlands on Tuesday evening in a game which is set to kick off at 19:45.
The hosts are yet to pick up a point in their European qualifying campaign, having lost all seven of their outings so far. Gibraltar are yet to score a goal and have conceded 35.
Football has been an essential part of Gibraltar's culture for over a century. Introduced by British soldiers, the sport quickly gained popularity, leading to the establishment of the Gibraltar Civilian Football Association in 1895.
Over the years, Gibraltar's footballing aspirations grew, and in 2013, the country became a full member of UEFA. The formation of the Gibraltar National League in 2019 further solidified the sport's importance, and football remains a cornerstone of Gibraltar's identity.
Gibraltar were in action on Saturday evening as they travelled to France to face the World Cup runners-up. The divide in quality between the teams was evident throughout the game and France ran out 14-0 winners thanks in part to an Mbappe hat trick.
Netherlands have not yet guaranteed qualification for the Euros and will require at least one point on Tuesday to ensure that they make it to Germany. They have won five and lost two of their games, with both defeats coming at the hands of France.
Netherlands were in action on Saturday as they hosted Ireland in a tight game. Wout Weghorst scored the only goal of the game in the 11th minute, capitalising on a loose ball in the box to fire past Gavin Bazunu.
The Dutch were dominant for most of the game, but Ireland had their chances to equalise, with Troy Parrott and Callum Robinson both coming close in the second half. However, the Netherlands held on to secure the win.
Gibraltar and the Netherlands have a relatively short history of footballing rivalry, as Gibraltar only became a full member of UEFA and FIFA in 2013.
However, the two teams have met seven times in competitive and friendly matches, with the Netherlands winning all seven encounters with an aggregate score of 28-0.
Netherlands recorded a comfortable 3-0 victory when these sides met in March in the opening stages of their Euro 2024 qualifying campaigns. Memphis Depay opened the scoring in the 24th minute, heading in a cross from Denzel Dumfries. Nathan Ake doubled the hosts' lead four minutes after half-time, heading in another Dumfries cross.
Gibraltar were reduced to 10 men in the 51st minute when Liam Walker was sent off for a bad challenge on Mats Wieffer. Ake then sealed the victory for the Netherlands in the 82nd minute, driving home a deflected shot.
Unsurprisingly, it is Netherlands who come into this game as heavy favourites and are currently priced @ 1/250, whilst a highly unlikely victory for Gibraltar is currently priced @ 200/1. We are backing Cody Gakpo to score 3+ goals in the game as he has shown some impressive for so far this year for liverpool.