Netherlands vs Croatia Prediction, Match Preview, Live Stream, Odds and Picks
Oranje Hasn't Won Trophy Since Euro ‘88
The 2022-23 UEFA Nations League returns for its finals series this week, with Croatia visiting the Netherlands for one of the semifinals. You can live bet on the Nations League action by using our sportsbook.
Almost perfect in Nations League
Before another World Cup campaign of relative indifference, the Netherlands laid down quite the marker in the UEFA Nations League, taking 16 points from a possible 18 on offer against Belgium, Poland, and Wales to sail through to the final four.
The Nations League presents national sides with a chance to win a trophy outside the major European Championship and World Cup window. The Dutch haven’t won a trophy since Euro 88, and while the Nations League has its critics, there’s no doubt it has been a popular addition. This could be a great win for the hosts just before the summer break, and we will continue to include them in our Nations League picks and parlays.
Since being knocked out of the Euros in 2021, the Dutch have lost just one match in 90 minutes in their last 22, losing to eventual winner Argentina on penalties at the last World Cup. That defeat came when they crashed 4-0 against France in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier.
Ronald Koeman has trimmed his squad since initially naming a 26-man roster, with Tijjani Reijnders and Daley Blind both now out of the team. Ryan Gravenberch, Steven Berghuis, Stefan de Vrij, and Jeremie Frimpong, who has turned down an offer to compete at the Under-21 Euros, are also absent. With Memphis Depay watching on from the treatment room, Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo could be deployed in the number nine role for Oranje. Meanwhile, Ake and Denzel Dumfries will need once-overs after competing in the Champions League final at the weekend.
Good Run of Form
Croatia capitalized on France’s misfortunes to finish at the summit of League A Group 1 in the Nations League, taking 13 points from six games against France, Denmark, and Austria to make the finals for the first time.
This could be the last chance for Croatia’s Golden Generation of Luka Modric and co. to lift their first trophy following a runners-up and a semi-final appearance in the past two World Cups. Croatia has only lost one in their last 15, also to Argentina in Qatar. They started their Euro 2024 qualifiers with a disappointing draw against Wales but then went to Turkey and won.
Luka Modric will earn his 165th cap here. The captain and Real Madrid star is still a huge threat at 37. Croatia have six key members of their squad aged 30 or over and are at the end of a long, hard season, so if you’re betting online, you shouldn’t back them here.
Highly-rated RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol is still struggling with a groin injury and will miss out on a shot at Nations League glory. Striker Marko Livaja has also pulled out of the squad in the wake of an ugly training incident in which he was insulted by fans who had turned up to watch the practice session.
Netherlands vs Croatia Head-to-Head
Wednesday’s affair will mark just the third-ever meeting between the Netherlands and Croatia, with the visitors beating the hosts in the 1998 World Cup third-place playoff before the Dutch gleaned a slice of revenge with a 3-0 triumph in a 2008 friendly. Ivan Perisic needs just one more goal to his 34 in Croatia colors and overtake Mario Mandzukic as his nation’s second-highest goalscorer.
The Netherlands won all but one of their competitive home games since the end of 2020. Three of the Netherlands’ last four Nations League home games saw both teams score.
Netherlands vs Croatia Match Information
- Match: Netherlands (5-1-0) vs Croatia (4-1-1)
- Day/Time: Wednesday, June 14, 2:45 p.m. ET
- Location: De Kuip, Rotterdam
- Netherlands vs Croatia Live stream: fubo.tv
Netherlands vs Croatia Betting Lines
Netherlands vs Croatia Picks and Prediction
The hosts enter this clash as favorites, priced at +100 on the three-way moneyline according to the latest Nations League odds, while the goal line is set at 2½.
Both defenses are packed with experience so you might expect a low-scoring match. Koeman’s youthful side could prove too strong for Croatia, and we expect them to win this clash in front of their fans. Koeman’s troops have the advantage of playing on home soil in this semi-final, with Feyenoord’s famous De Kuip providing the backdrop for this clash against recent World Cup semi-finalists Croatia.
The Netherlands is listed at +100 in our Vegas UEFA Nation League lines. This means that if you wager $100 on the Netherlands, you have a chance to win $100. Croatia is +285, offering a chance to win $285 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives the Netherlands a 50.00% chance to win, with Croatia at 25.97%.
