The Netherlands continue their World Cup qualifying campaign against Jan Urban’s Poland side at the Stadion Feijenoord. This is the first time the pair have met since the 2024 Euros, where the Dutch emerged as 2-1 winners, where Wout Weghorst completed a comeback for the Oranje. Undefeated in their last five matches, Ronald Koeman’s men will be looking to continue the winning start in their qualification campaign.
Their most recent game against Malta ended 8-0 in their favour. However, their most impressive results came in the UEFA Nations League, where they held the champions of Europe, Spain, to two successive draws – a great achievement despite later being eliminated on penalties.
Next for the Netherlands in the World Cup qualifying stage is Poland. Jan Urban’s team sit on the same amount of points as the Netherlands in Group G, playing one game more. Their most recent match was a defeat to Finland, who currently sit top of the group.
Oranje will certainly enter this clash as favourites, but Poland will certainly feel like they have the capacity to hurt the Dutch if they are not at their best.
Team News:
Poland have no fresh injury concerns ahead of their clash with the Netherlands. All-time top goalscorer Robert Lewandowski may start up top for Urban’s men. However, after having minimal gametime in the La Liga so far this season, the Polish head coach may opt for a different option up front, such as the experienced Krzysztof Piatek.
The visitors can be expected to adopt their usual 3-5-2 formation with Matty Cash and Nicola Zalewski occupying those wing-back positions.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands also do not have any particular worries in terms of fitness issues. Koeman was unable to call up Jeremie Frimpong after the wing-back sustained a hamstring injury whilst playing for Liverpool.
The Dutch are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation with a frontline of Xavi Simons, Memphis Depay and Cody Gakpo.
Predicted Lineups:
Poland (3-5-2):
Skorupski; Bednarek, Kedziora, Kiwior; Matty Cash, Zielinski, Szymanski, Slisz, Zalewski; Lewandowski, Buksa.
Netherlands (4-3-3):
Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Dijk, Van Hecke, Van de Ven; De Jong, Gravenberch, Reijnders; Simons, Depay, Gakpo.
Key Players:
Poland – Robert Lewandowski
So often a crucial part of the Polish national team with 84 goals in 158 appearances, Robert Lewandowski would be a name expected to be a difference maker against the Netherlands should he be deemed fit enough to play.
The Pole has only played 26 minutes in the La Liga this season, but will be hoping a good performance tonight can kickstart his season. A clinical finisher is exactly what Poland need against opposition like the Dutch – Lewandowski is exactly that.
Scoring 27 goals in La Liga for Barcelona last season, Robert Lewandowski has certainly still got what it takes to lead the line for his country, and he can show that in this match.
The Netherlands – Memphis Depay
Depay will be desperate to get his name on the scoresheet against Poland – if he does, then he will etch his name in the Dutch history books, becoming the nation’s all-time top male goalscorer, surpassing the fifty-goal record set by Robin Van Persie.
He has started 12 matches in the Brazilian Serie A so far this season, in which he has found the back of the net on four occasions and assisted on three more. He also scored on his latest outing for his nation in the 8-0 victory over Malta.
Spurred on by the possibility of making history, Depay is sure to be at his best against Poland.