Netherlands vs Republic of Ireland predictions: Dutch to grind it out in Amsterdam

- The Netherlands claimed a 2-1 win over Ireland in September 
- Of Ireland's last 13 defeats, 11 have been by a one-goal margin 
- Recommended bet: Netherlands to win by one goal

Republic of Ireland's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2024 have now ended, but the Netherlands can seal their place at next summer's finals with victory over Stephen Kenny's side at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Saturday.

Ireland came into this international break with the faintest of hopes of still securing a play-off spot for the Euros, but those dreams were ended by Slovakia's victory over Iceland on Thursday.

The Boys in Green now have little more than pride to play for in Amsterdam, but there is plenty riding on the contest for the Dutch, whose place at the finals is within touching distance.

Team news

Dutch boss Ronald Koeman already knew he would be without the likes of Memphis Depay, Frenkie de Jong and Micky van de Ven for this international break due to injury, but he is now also dealing with a spate of withdrawals.

Nathan Ake, Jeremie Frimpong, Brian Brobbey and Steven Bergwijn have all pulled out of the squad since its announcement, with uncapped Toulouse forward Thijs Dallinga among the players who have been drafted in.

Ireland have also lost players to injury, with Festy Ebosele and Will Smallbone having withdrawn from the squad, while fitness concerns continue to surround Chiedozie Ogbene, Jamie McGrath and influential striker Evan Ferguson.

The stats

The Netherlands have won four of their six matches in this qualifying campaign, with their only defeats coming home and away to group winners France.

That run includes a 2-1 victory over Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in September when goals from Cody Gakpo and Wout Weghorst cancelled out Adam Idah's early penalty.

The Dutch are now unbeaten in their last three meetings with Ireland, whose last victory over Oranje came in an international friendly in 2004 when Robbie Keane scored the only goal of the contest.

Ireland's only wins in this qualifying campaign have come against group whipping boys Gibraltar, but they have been competitive in all their matches.

Of the last 13 defeats Ireland have suffered, 11 of them have been by a one-goal margin, a run that dates back to November 2020.

Prediction

It has been a disastrous qualifying campaign for Ireland and the pressure is mounting on head coach Kenny, who has won just 11 of his 38 matches in charge.

However, Ireland do tend to remain competitive in matches, with France and Greece being the only sides to have beaten the Boys in Green by more than one goal over the last three years.

The Dutch had to come from behind to snatch a 2-1 win when the two teams met in Dublin in September, while Koeman's side needed a late penalty from captain Virgil van Dijk to claim a 1-0 victory in Greece last time out.

Another tight battle could be on the cards on Saturday, but ultimately the Netherlands should have enough quality to secure the victory.

Back the Netherlands to win by one goal at 9/4 with LiveScore Bet

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