Netherlands v Croatia

Netherlands vs Croatia Preview

The first of this week's semi-finals in the Nations League will feature this upcoming encounter between Netherlands and Croatia at the Stadion Feijenoord in Rotterdam with the Netherlands keen to make the most of home advantage and on the back of a 3-0 home win over Gibraltar in the European qualifiers.

Netherlands finished six points clear of runners-up, Belgium, in Group 4 of the group phase of the Nations League to qualify for the semi-finals of this competition.

Netherlands have enjoyed something of a renaissance in recent times as the Oranje have suffered just two defeats in their previous 22 matches in all competitions; losing on penalties to France in the semi-final of the World Cup was followed by a heavy 4-0 defeat away at France in the European qualifiers, but the Dutch have since bounced back with a win.

A resounding 3-0 home win over minnows Gibraltar in Group B of the European qualifiers will serve as a welcome boost for the Dutch hosts who are unbeaten in their last 10 international matches on home soil, picking up eight wins in the process while also losing just once in their previous nine games at home in the Nations League as well.

Croatia also finished top of their Group 1 table but it was a close-run thing as they pipped runners-up Denmark by just a single point margin to qualify for this semi-final date with Netherlands in Rotterdam on Wednesday night.

Croatia will be hoping that they don't befall the same fate that they experienced at the semi-final stage in last year's World Cup doesn't strike again on Wednesday night in this upcoming semi-final with the Dutch; Croatia were dumped out of the World Cup by Argentina, losing 3-0 to end their hopes of winning the famous trophy.

However, that loss to Argentina has been Croatia's only defeat in their last 15 matches in all competitions but although the Croatians have won each of their last three away games in the Nations League competition, picking up wins at Denmark, France and Austria, it should be noted that the visitors had previously lost their preceding five games on the road on the trot.

Netherlands v Croatia Verdict

These two nations have only met twice in the past 25 years with one win apiece; Croatia recorded a 2-1 win over Netherlands in the 1998 World Cup in France while Netherlands won the last meeting against Croatia, winning 3-0 away in Croatia in an international friendly.

So, limited data to go by but the Dutch have made themselves tough to beat at home and they could gain the edge here on Wednesday night.

Therefore, our main bet will be Netherlands win @ 1.95

Other side bets worth considering:

Netherlands win & Over 2.5 goals @ 3.50

Correct score: Netherlands 2-1 @ 9.00