Netherlands v Ireland predictions, betting odds and tips: Simons too slick for Irish defence
Free expert football tips, best bets and predictions for Netherlands v Ireland in Euro 2024 qualifying Group B on Saturday
Where to watch Netherlands v Ireland
Viaplay Sports 1, 7.45pm Saturday
Best bet
Xavi Simons to be first goalscorer
1pt 9-2 bet365, Betfair, Paddy Power
Netherlands v Ireland odds
Netherlands 1-5
Ireland 18-1
Draw 6-1
Odds correct at time of publishing
Netherlands v Ireland team news
Netherlands
Manchester City defender Nathan Ake and Ajax forwards Brian Brobbey and Steven Bergwijn have withdrawn from the squad. Brighton's Bart Verbruggen is set to start in goal.
Ireland
Striker Evan Ferguson (back) is a slight doubt. Will Smallbone, Chiedozie Ogbene and Jamie McGrath will also be assessed.
Netherlands v Ireland predictions
The Netherlands, knocked out of the 2022 World Cup on penalties after a dramatic quarter-final draw with Argentina, are on course to qualify automatically for Euro 2024 as they target a home win over Ireland on Saturday.
Bookmakers do not expect Ronald Koeman's men to let their standards slip and the Dutch are long odds-on to beat Ireland, whose only victories in Group B have come against Gibraltar.
Stephen Kenny's side have not been outclassed by their section rivals, losing 1-0 and 2-1 to France, 2-1 and 2-0 to Greece and 2-1 to the Netherlands in September, when Adam Idah's penalty gave them a fourth-minute lead.
However, since Euro 2020 the Dutch have lost only three of their 28 internationals in 90 minutes, two against World Cup runners-up France and one against European champions Italy.
Netherlands winger Xavi Simons is a tempting bet to break the deadlock. The 20-year-old scored 19 goals in 34 Eredivisie starts for PSV last season and has made a cracking start to 2023-24 with RB Leipzig, contributing six goals and eight assists in 15 Bundesliga and Champions League appearances.
Probable teams
Netherlands (3-4-3): Verbruggen; Geertruida, Van Dijk, Blind; Dumfries, Reijnders, Wieffer, Hartman; Simons, Weghorst, Gakpo
Ireland (4-3-3): Kelleher; Doherty, Duffy, Scales, Manning; Knight, Cullen, Molumby; Sykes, Ferguson, Johnston
Click for free bets and betting offers from the Racing Post
Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing and sports betting.
Published on 17 November 2023inEuro 2024
Last updated 14:19, 17 November 2023
- England 100-30 for Euro 2024 glory as Wales suffer playoff heartbreak
- Expert Euro 2024 qualifying predictions, betting odds, tips & TV details
- Wales v Poland predictions, betting odds, tips & TV details
- Euro 2024 qualifying predictions and free football tips from Dan Childs
- Wales v Finland predictions, odds and betting tips
- England 100-30 for Euro 2024 glory as Wales suffer playoff heartbreak
- Expert Euro 2024 qualifying predictions, betting odds, tips & TV details
- Wales v Poland predictions, betting odds, tips & TV details
- Euro 2024 qualifying predictions and free football tips from Dan Childs
- Wales v Finland predictions, odds and betting tips