Our prediction for this Nations League match:
After dropping two points in a 2-2 draw with Poland, Netherlands will look to return to winning ways when they take on Wales in yet another home fixture. The Oranje are leading the standings ahead of Tuesday’s clash, and a win over Wales will see them move one step closer to clinching top position. Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt should be recalled to the starting XI after he was rested in the last group game, while Memphis Depay will lead the line for the hosts.
The Dragons, on the other hand, came from behind to share the spoils with star-studded Belgium on Saturday. As always, Gareth Bale will be the man to watch in the away team, but seeing that Netherlands are a real force to be reckoned with at home, the visitors are unlikely to grab something from Tuesday’s game. Experienced midfielder Aaron Ramsey is widely expected to return to the starting line-up as Joe Allen limped off with injury in the last group match.
Highlighted Player (Memphis Depay):
Memphis Depay is a Dutch winger who started his professional career at PSV Eindhoven. During the 2014/2015 Eredivisie campaign the pacey footballer was on Manchester United’s radar and on June 12, 2015 the Premier League club confirmed the signing of the Dutchman. Many people expected that he would impress in the 2015/2016 Premier League season, but the former PSV ace played below expectations for the Red Devils, scoring only two goals (one assist) during the season.
After playing only for league games for Man Utd in the 2016/2017 season, Memphis Depay was sold to Olympique Lyon on January 20, 2017. Depay signed a four-and-a-half year deal with les Gones for a fee of around £16 million. The Dutch winger was producing fine performances for Lyon in the 2016/2017 season; he scored five goals for the club, while providing eight assists for his teammates.
Memphis Depay made his senior debut for Netherlands on October 15, 2013 in a 2-0 win over Turkey. Depay did well to win the 2011 European Championship with Netherlands U17 team.
Highlighted Team (Wales):
Despite being part of the United Kingdom, Wales national football team has been competing in FIFA tournaments since 1950, although they have so far only reached two tournament finals. The Dragons surprised everyone by making it to the quarter-finals at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, but little did they know that it would remain their only World Cup appearance up to date.
Wales had plenty of problems in the European Championship qualifiers as well, but they finally managed to end the barren run by securing their place at the Euro 2016 in France. Led by the likes of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen and Ashley Williams, the Dragons performed admirably throughout the campaign and even reached the 8th position in the FIFA Rankings in October 2015.
Neville Southall remains the team’s most capped player, but the generation that included Ryan Giggs, Gary Speed, Craig Bellamy and John Hartson will also be remembered for some impressive performances against top European national teams.