Euro 2024

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Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage

Oct 13, 2023 at 7.45pm UK

Johan Cruijff Arena

How the Netherlands could line up against France

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 2d

Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how the Netherlands could line up for Friday's Euro 2024 qualifying Group B clash with France.

Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman is working with a significantly reduced number of options for October's Euro 2024 qualifying Group B matches, starting with Friday's visit of France to Amsterdam.

Among the infirm are Jurrien Timber, Sven Botman, Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong, Mark Flekken, Memphis Depay, Noa Lang, Teun Koopmeiners, Tyrell Malacia, Steven Berghuis and Cody Gakpo, the latter of whom netted his side's equaliser against the Republic of Ireland last month before Wout Weghorst's decisive contribution.

Seven-goal talisman Weghorst almost certainly be given the nod through the middle, where Steven Bergwijn, Xavi Simons and Donyell Malen should battle for the two spots alongside him, and the former - despite leading the way in the current squad with eight goals - might miss out.

Denzel Dumfries missed March's 4-0 loss to France through suspension, but the Inter Milan right wing-back is free to strut his stuff on the right here, while Daley Blind is in line to win his 104th cap on the left-hand side.

With De Jong and Koopmeiners both unavailable, Marten de Roon represents the senior midfield option and could be joined by Joey Veerman, whose PSV Eindhoven side have won eight games from eight in the 2023-24 Eredivisie.

Virgil van Dijk and Nathan Ake will likely be included in the backline, which could very well be an all-Premier League rearguard if Micky van de Ven's Tottenham Hotspur exploits are rewarded with a first senior cap.

However, the more experienced Stefan de Vrij may be preferred for the visit of France, although Brighton & Hove Albion's Bart Verbruggen is a contender for his debut in goal amid Andries Noppert's challenging start to the season - the Heerenveen stopper has kept just one clean sheet in eight Eredivisie contests.

Netherlands possible starting lineup: Verbruggen; De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, De Roon, Veerman, Blind; Simons, Weghorst, Malen

> Click here to see how France could line up for this contest

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