Netherlands hopes to place one foot close in the World Cup 2022 qualifiers this weekend when they take on Montenegro. The match schedules for Saturday in Spain, with kickoff at 10:45 pm.
The Netherlands are unbeaten in their last four games against Montenegro, winning three times and drawing the other, while clean sheets in their last two games against them put the Danes in good stead for this one.
Ahead of Friday’s final Group G match against Norway, and with qualifying automatic qualification for the World Cup 2022, Montenegro coach Branko Brnović said: “A win would be a big step to reaching their bid for a qualification spot.
Their opening away defeats to Gibraltar – a side who were ranked 211th in the world at the time – could be forgiven, but defeat by Norway may cause the men from Podgorica to reassess their World Cup aspirations.
It has been a strong qualifying campaign for the Netherlands, which are unbeaten in their past nine matches in the competition.
Louis van Gaal ‘s side has won two of their three matches at the World Cup finals this summer, having beaten reigning world champions Spain 2-0 in their opening game in Salvador.
The Netherlands seems to thrive on big tournaments. Czech Republic is the only team yet to make it through a qualifying campaign for either the World Cup or European Championship.
Montenegro vs. Netherlands Head to Head
Both sides have one game against each other, with the Netherlands taking the win. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Norway 2-0 Montenegro
- Gilbraltar 0-3 Montenegro
- Montenegro 0-0 Latvia
- Netherlands 4-0 Montenegro
- Turkey 2-2 Montenegro
Away
- Netherlands 6-0 Gilbraltar
- Latvia 0-1 Netherlands
- Netherlands 6-1 Turkey
- Netherlands 4-0 Montenegro
- Norway 1-1 Netherlands
Montenegro Team News
Marko Vesovic, who can play at right-back, is suspended for Saturday’s match at home to Montenegro. That could mean a start for Marko Vukcevic at right-back against his former side.
Captain Stevan Jovetic will lead the Montenegro team. They have several other attackers capable of scoring goals, including Etrit Berisha, one of seven players from Skenderbeu in Albania who have been called up to the squad.
Netherlands Team News
The KNVB has announced head coach Danny Blind cannot call on midfielder Drommel due to illness while attackers Berguis and Timber return.
Prediction and Odds
Failure to win this match will present Montenegro with the opportunity to cement a spot in the knockouts, a possibility that alarms Netherlands.
- Netherlands Win
- Goals Over 2.5
- Both Teams to Score
