Netherlands vs Northern Ireland Preview

Northern Ireland had looked like they were running away with one of the top two spots in their Euro 2020 qualifying group after winning 4 of 4 games but they have been brought back to reality after Netherlands defeated Germany 4-2 away in the last round of games.

What that result now means is that if the Dutch defeat them here they would all be on 12 points with three teams now in a three horse race for the top two spots.

Now the Northern Irish face their biggest tests of the series.  They take on Netherlands away and Germany at home in their next two games and losing each game could effectively take them out of the running for qualification.

The Netherlands have enjoyed a dramatic turnaround from the side that failed to qualify for the last two major competitions and they now seem unstoppable.

Northern Ireland have lost two and drawn two of their last 4 games against the Netherlands, while the Netherlands have kept a clean sheet in their last 6 games against their visitors and they have won the last 14 games they have played in Rotterdam making this an uphill task on paper.