By James Cormack
Having taken full control of Group B, France will look to secure their place at Euro 2024 with two games to spare in Friday night’s qualifiers.
However, the toughest test, on paper, is next on the horizon for Didier Deschamps’ men as they travel to Amsterdam to face the Netherlands. The Dutch had a poor start to qualifying when they were beaten 4-0 by France in the first leg, but have since won three on the bounce and find themselves in a strong position.
Friday’s hosts are currently second in Group B and are level on points with third-placed Greece. The Greeks, however, have played one more match and the direct duel on Monday will be decisive.
Even a point for the Netherlands on Friday would be huge, but a long list of injuries has made their task even more complicated.
Here you are 90 minutes preview of France’s next Euro 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands.
Where is Holland-France played?
Position: Amsterdam, Holland
stadium: Johan Cruyff Arena
Date: Friday 13 October
Starting time: 7.45pm BST / 2.45pm ET / 11.45am PT
Referee: Felix Zwayer
Head-to-head record between Holland and France (last five matches)
Holland: 1 win
France: 4 wins
draw: 0
Last match: France 4-0 Netherlands (24 March 2023 – Euro 2024 qualifiers)
Current form (last five matches)
Holland: WLLWW
France: WWWWL
How to watch Netherlands-France on TV and live streaming
International football rights holders around the world
News about the Dutch team
Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong will not be present this month | ANP/GettyImagesThe hosts will be missing several key players this month and will be outnumbered for the upcoming qualifiers.
Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong and Cody Gakpo, all starters in Holland’s last match against Ireland, are all absent from Ronald Koeman’s squad. Calvin Stengs also replaced Noa Lang, while Andries Noppert is available Brentford’s Mark Flekken.
Prediction of the Netherlands team against France
Probable Netherlands-France lineup (3-4-3): Bridge; Van Dijk, De Vrij, Ake; Dumfries, De Roon, Wieffer, Blind; Simons, Malen, Bergwijn.
News on the French team
Didier Deschamps could qualify with two matchdays to spare | FRANCK FIFE/GettyImagesLucas Hernandez could also be deployed as a central defender with brother Theo raiding on the left.
Adrien Rabiot is likely to continue in the middle of the park, while Kylian Mbappe is a guarantee to start alongside striker-turned-goalkeeper Olivier Giroud.
Prediction for France’s lineup against Holland
Prediction for the France-Holland lineup (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Pavard, Konate, L. Hernandez, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembélé, Griezmann, Mbappé; Giroud.
Netherlands-France score prediction
While the Dutch host a major nation on Friday, Monday’s trip to Greece will undoubtedly be the most important match. That’s what they have to win.
Given the injuries and France’s strength in qualifying, the hosts have little chance of prevailing at home. While they are unlikely to be swept away as they were in March, Les Bleus should reach three points and secure a place in Germany next summer.
Prediction: Holland-France 0-2
This article was originally published on 90min.com as Netherlands vs France – Euro 2024 Qualifiers: TV channel, team news, lineups and predictions.
