Our football match prediction:
Scotland
Match Time & Date:
09/11/2017
19:45 GMT
Prediction: 1-1
Netherlands
Pittodrie Stadium will host Thursday’s football game between Scotland and Netherlands. Scotland were more than unfortunate not to book their place in the 2018 World Cup play-offs as they were level on points with second-placed Slovakia, but, taking everything into account, Gordon Strachan’s men had a very successful qualifying campaign. Netherlands, on the other hand, did well to beat the likes of Bulgaria, Belarus and Sweden in last three qualifying matches, but that eventually did not help them secure qualification for the FIFA World Cup finals. The Oranje failed to qualify for the last two major tournaments and, no doubt, a win over Scotland will give them a confidence boost. It has to be noted, though, that Bayern Munich ace Arjen Robben retired from international football and we predict that he is going to be sorely missed in the friendly against Scotland. A close encounter is on the horizon and the two teams are likely to share the spoils in Aberdeen.
Highlighted Player (Chris Martin):
Chris Martin is a powerful striker who was eligible to play for either England or Scotland national team. His father was born in Glasgow, but Martin played four games for England U19 team. However, in May 2014 he was called in the senior Scotland squad and he made his debut in a 2-2 draw with Nigeria. Chris Martin netted his first goal for the Scotland national team in a 6-0 win over Gibraltar in the Euro 2016 qualifiers. The 185-cm-tall attacker plays for Derby County, but he began his senior career at Norwich City. He played 102 league games for the Canaries and he scored 25 goals for the club during his seven-year spell at Carrow Road. It has to be noted that he played for the likes of Luton Town, Crystal Palace, Swindon Town on loan before joining Derby County in 2013. Martin is well known for his brilliant aerial skills and he often scores headers. The Scottish footballer scored 14 goals for the Rams in the 2015/2016 Championship campaign.
Highlighted Team (Netherlands):
Netherlands are well known for the colour of their shirts. The orange colour is the symbol of the Dutch national team and that is the reason why they got a nickname the Oranje. Netherlands won the 1988 European Championship in West Germany, with the team beating the Soviet Union in the title game. A number of top-class players were part of the Netherlands national team that won the Euro 1988 trophy, with the likes of Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard and Erwin Koeman all starting the match against the Soviet Union. However, many people consider Johan Cruyff the best player in the history of Dutch football. Cruyff won three European Cups with Ajax as a player and he clinched the European Cup with Barcelona as a coach. Johan Cruyff is well known as “the father of modern football”. Netherlands participated in the World Cup final on three occasions (1974, 1978, 2010), but they have yet to win the prestigious trophy. The Oranje welcome their rivals at Amsterdam ArenA, Philips Stadion and Stadion Feijenoord.
