UEFA Nations League team news and prediction: Netherlands vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

Frank de Boer has made a disappointing start to life as Netherlands head coach having failed to win any of the four matches he has overseen after succeeding Ronald Koeman for the Oranje. With three draws and one defeat to his name, he'll look to get Netherlands' UEFA Nations League campaign back on track this evening. 

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina aren't exactly in imperious form themselves having won just one of their last nine outings, that a 3-0 win over Liechtenstein in the 2019 November international break. Both teams are hoping to shake themselves out of their current funk to improve their chances of finishing first. 

 

In the build up to this evening's game, we have all your need-to-know matchday information in one place, including probable XIs, team news and where you can watch the match. 

 

When is kick off? 

Sunday 15th November, 17:00 GMT 

Where is the match? 

Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam (Netherlands) 

Where can I watch it? 

Sky Sports Premier League 

 

2020/21 So Far 

 

Netherlands have failed to make their standing on the world stage count in Group 1 and have won just one of their four matches, that a 1-0 win over Poland in September. Since then, the Oranje have lost one and drawn two, but with everything to play for in Group 1, victory could yet see Netherlands end the penultimate gameweek top. 

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina are the only Group 1 side yet to win a League A match having drawn two and lost two of their four matches. A win this evening, though, would see them move level on points with the Netherlands and having held Frank de Boer's side to a 0-0 draw on home turf last month, they'll seek to prolong the 50-year-old's dire run. 

 

Team News 

 

Nathan Ake hurt his hamstring six minutes into the Netherlands' 1-1 draw with Spain on Wednesday night and has dropped out of the squad as a result. He isn't the only Premier League representative to miss out here, with Steven Bergwijn sent home last week due to fitness issues. Dutch number one Jasper Cillessen is ruled out through injury, with Tim Krul expected to start between the sticks, while Justin Bijlow, Teun Koopmeiners and Tonny Vilhena miss out.  

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina's squad has been gutted due to COVID-19 with star striker Edin Dzeko the notable absentee. Haris Hajradinovic, Samir Zeljkovic, Aldin Turkes and Ajdin Hasic have also tested positive for Coronavirus and sit out the trip to Amsterdam. Anel Ahmedhodzic is suspended after his red card against Poland last month, but had withdrawn from the squad anyway, and Amir Hadziahmetovic is ruled out through injury. Armin Hodzic missed last month's UEFA Nations League matches through suspension, and despite his poor club form, is available and set to lead the line in Dzeko's absence. 

 

Probable XIs 

 

UEFA Nations League team news and prediction: Netherlands vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

Netherlands (4231) - Krul; Hateboer, Veltman, De Vrij, Blind; De Jong, Van de Beek; Promes, Wijnaldum, Depay; De Jong

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina (4231) - Sehic; Cipetic, Hadzikadunic, Sanicanin, Kolasinac; Pjanic, Cimirot; Visca, Gojak, Krunic; Hodzic

 

Key Battle: Frenkie de Jong vs Miralem Pjanic

 

UEFA Nations League team news and prediction: Netherlands vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

Barcelona teammates are set to lock horns in the quest for midfield supremacy in Amsterdam this evening. Frenkie de Jong may be underwhelming for Barcelona in LaLiga, but the Dutchman has been exceptional for his national side, despite their poor form in UEFA Nations League duties, with a WhoScored rating of 7.43 one of the best in League A.

 

Miralem Pjanic, meanwhile, has struggled for game time in Spain, though that was due to the midfielder testing positive for COVID-19 at the end of August and it has restricted the former Juventus man to just 77 minutes of league action for the Blaugrana. He has started only two of Bosnia and Herzegovina's four UEFA Nations League matches, and last just 33 minutes against Poland last month, so will hope to make a sustained impact this evening.

 

Prediction: Netherlands 1-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

UEFA Nations League team news and prediction: Netherlands vs Bosnia and Herzegovina