The Netherlands host Greece at Philips Stadion this Thursday in matchday five of the UEFA Euro Qualifiers. The Oranje have only played two games so far leaving them further down in the group standing than would be expected whereas Greece sit in second with two wins already.
The Netherlands sit fourth in Group B having only played twice in comparison to the three or four games the others in the group. In those two games, The Oranje have one win and one loss, leaving them on three points and three points adrift of the final qualification spot.
The Oranje crashed out of the World Cup in fiery fashion on penalties against eventual winners Argentina and their first game back after came against the other Finalists France. Ronald Koeman’s side controlled the game with 59% of the possession and 11 shots, but were shocked by goals from Antoine Griezmann, Dayot Upamecano and a brace from Kylian Mbappe in a 4 - 0 loss. However, the Netherlands immediately bounced back with a win over Gibraltar. Memphis Depay scored as well as Nathan Ake who bagged a brace in a 3 - 0 win over ten man Gibraltar.
The most recent action for the Netherlands was in the Nations League. In the Semi-final against Croatia, Donyell Malen and Noa Lang were on the scoresheet but it wasn’t enough as The Oranje slumped to a 4 - 2 loss in extra time. They were also on the losing side in the match for third place. Steven Bergwijn and Georginio Wijnaldum both scored but Italy won bronze with a 3 - 2 victory.
Greece currently sit second in Group B in the last automatic qualification spot. In the three games they have played, Greece have two wins and one loss, leaving them on six points, three points ahead of third place Ireland.
On matchday one Greece travelled to Gibraltar. Giorgos Masouras, Emmanouil Siopis and Anastasios Bakasetas all scored in a dominant 3 - 0 win with 73% of the possession and also saw Gibraltar concede 29 shots, seven being on target. In the midst of the Qualifiers, Greece hosted Lithuania in a friendly that ended in an uneventful goalless draw. The first home game of the Qualifiers was against Ireland. Bakasetas converted a penalty and Masouras also scored in a 2 - 1 win over a ten man Ireland after Matt Doherty was sent off in extra time.
The most recent outing for Greece was against World Cup Finalists France. Kylian Mbappe converted a penalty in the 55th minute to give France the 1 - 0 lead with the scoreline sticking for the rest of the game. Greece also finished the game with ten men as Konstantinos Mavropanos was sent off after 70 minutes.
The Netherlands and Greece have met just nine times in their histories, with the last meeting being all the way back in 2016. The Oranje dominate the fixture with seven wins in comparison to just one win for Greece, that win coming most recently. There has also only been one draw, coming all the way back in 1987.