We will find out who the hosts Portugal will face in the final of the UEFA Nations League on Thursday night when the Netherlands take on England in the second semi-final of the inaugural competition in Guimaraes.
Both nations are very much on the upturn and the chance to win a trophy would be big for both of them so this is a fairly big semi-final. With that in mind it will be interesting to see how they go about their work.
Netherlands
After a lengthy drought by their standards things are looking good again for the Netherlands, helped by the success of that fantastic Ajax side with many of the talents from that side delivering the goods for their country too. There is a youthful exuberance about this team but with that comes an element of vulnerability so not only are they a good watch their matches are often extremely entertaining.
You would think the Netherlands would be comfortable with their defensive solidity in this match given that they have two of the best centre-halves in the world currently at the spine of their back line. That should give the Dutch the freedom to go out and play expansively and look to attack this semi-final rather than waiting to see what could happen.
England
It has been quite some 12 months for England. They went to the World Cup with their fans wanting to believe they could do some damage despite not many being prepared to say it out loud, but that is exactly what they did and they have taken the belief and confidence from that into their Nations League campaign where they have come past Spain and Croatia to make it to this semi-final stage.
Such is the confidence and the excellent work done by this England team, they appear ready to embrace this challenge even though they might not be at full strength. England left the World Cup semi-final with a few regrets, especially with their ball retention under pressure and it will be interesting to see if they have learned from that for this match.
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Team News
Ronald Koeman has stated in the media that he expects Virgil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum to be available to play even though they were involved in the Champions League final on Saturday night.
England are not expected to start anyone involved in the Champions League final which means that Harry Kane and Jordan Henderson will begin from the bench. Raheem Sterling is likely to skipper a side that will include Jadon Sancho.
Betting
These are two free scoring sides at the present time and as with the Wednesday semi-final, although both will want to win and have a crack at the trophy, there is going to be that lack of intense pressure which would be on this match if it was a World Cup or European Championship last four contest.
I think that means we will see both sides express themselves in the way we have become used to seeing from them. I think that means we should be in for something of an entertaining semi-final and one with a few goals in it. England have scored five in each of their last two matches while the Netherlands have scored twice in each of their last four. Over 2.5 at odds against will do me.
Tips
Back Over 2.5 goals for a 4/10 stake at 2.05 with Betfair
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