On Sunday group stage match Poland will face Netherlands as both teams are playing their first match in Euro 2024. In their pre-tournament friendly matches, the Dutch defeated both Canada and Iceland 4-0, although they remain significantly below the top level of European football nations in terms of reputation and reality.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands has never lost their last four games against teams around the top of the pre-Euro standings, including two qualifying losses to France, a friendly defeat to Germany, and a Nations League loss to Italy. The Dutch have a great overall history in the European Championship, having won the championship in 1988 and had four other semifinal appearances, but they have failed to advance beyond the quarterfinals in the last four tournaments as they have fallen behind other nations in the pecking order.
Poland's two biggest talents are nearing the end of their careers, The 35-year-old striker Robert Lewandowski will undoubtedly be competing in his final Euros after regressing at Barcelona this season and struggling with his health to compete in this competition. While all is going on, Wojciech Szczesny, a 34-year-old goalie, maybe leaving Juventus this summer to play in the Saudi Pro League.
Here are the predictions, betting tips and odds for Poland vs Netherlands:
Prediction:
Poland 0-2 Netherlands - Injuries have afflicted both teams, and they will have to do it without crucial players. Unlike Poland, which has depended on Lewandowski to carry them to victory over the years, the Netherlands has threats all over the pitch. The Dutch are likely to like their chances here.
Odds -
Poland win | -180 |
Draw | +400 |
Netherlands win | +450 |
Both teams to score | Y: +120 N: -150 |
Over / Under 2.5 goals |
O: -150 U: +120 |
Poland -1.5 goals |
-150 |
Netherlands +1.5 goals |
+200 |
Betting Tips:
While Poland may have been in fine shape entering this tournament based only on results, they have conceded a considerable number of shots to their opponents. In their most recent friendly win, they conceded 19 shots against Turkey and 16 to a counter-attacking Ukraine team. Even after the 0-0 stalemate with Wales in the qualifying playoff final, Poland surrendered 12 shots in a dreary contest against a squad that prefers to play without the ball.
The Dutch rely on efficiency rather than a lot of offensive production to win games; in their pre-tournament warm-up matches, they managed to put up 22 shots against Iceland and 20 against Canada and Jesse Marsch's counter-press.