After booking their place in the World Cup in Qatar with a 1-0 win over Ukraine, Wales will be looking to get their Nations League campaign back on track when they host the Netherlands at Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday at 19:45GMT.
Match Preview
Can Wales Get Back to Winning Ways after their Opening Day Defeat to Poland?
After suffering a 2-1 defeat to Poland in their first Nations League match, Wales bounced back with a 1-0 win over Ukraine that booked their place in Qatar 2022.
However, Ryan Giggs will be looking for his side to get started in the Nations League when they face the Netherlands on Wednesday night.
Giggs will be aware that they are facing a talented side that tore Belgium 4-1 in Brussels on matchday 1 and currently lead the group.
The focus will also be on recovering from the celebrations of making it to the World Cup in time to be ready for the tough examination the Dutch will offer.
Can the Netherlands Continue their Form with a Win in against Wales?
Louis van Gaal would have been impressed with the way his team tore into Belgium in their first match of this Nations League campaign. However, he will also want to keep them grounded are they seek to gain steam and bolster performance in their next match against Wales.
As they travel to the Cardiff City Stadium, the Netherlands will be looking to make it two consecutive wins in this Nations League campaign as they seek to take charge of Group A, which comprises Poland, Wales, and Belgium.
Louis van Gaal will focus on bolstering the confidence of his players to replicate a sterling performance, such as the one they showed against Belgium on matchday 1.
Form Guide
Wales
In their last five international outings, Ryan Giggs’ side have won two matches, drawn three times, and lost once. The loss came in a 2-1 scoreline against Poland in their opening match of this Nations League campaign.
The two wins in this run came in the 2-1 triumph over Austria in a World Cup Qualifier in March and the 1-0 win over Ukraine to qualify for the World Cup in November.
The triumph over Ukraine was especially crucial for Wales as they made it to the world. The fact that they overcame an emotionally driven Ukraine side shows their mettle and resilience, which will serve them well in the clash with the Netherlands and the rest of the Nations League campaign.
Netherlands
Louis van Gaal’s side are unbeaten in their last five outings in international football. In this run, they have had three wins and two draws.
The three wins came against Norway (2-1) in a World Cup Qualifier Group Stage, Denmark (4-2) in an international friendly, and Belgium (4-1) in the opening match of this Nations League campaign.
The draws came against Montenegro (202) in a World Cup Qualifier matchday 9 and Germany (1-1) in an international friendly.
However, having made it to Qatar 2022, Louis van Gaal will be looking to use this Nations League campaign as preparation for Oranje’s opening day match at the World Cup.
Possible Starting Lineups
Wales
Hennessey; E. Ampadu, J. Rodon, B. Davies; C. Roberts, J. Allen, A. Ramsey, N. Williams; G. Bale, K. Moore, D. James
Netherlands
Cillessen; N. Ake, V. van Dijk, J. Timber; D. Blind, D. Klassen, F. de Jong, S. Berghuis, D. Dumfries; M. Depay, S. Bergwijn
Players to Watch
G. Bale
Fresh from scoring the goal that took Wales to the World Cup, Gareth Bale is expected to play a starring role in the Nations League campaign, starting with the clash with the Netherlands on Wednesday.
M. Depay
Depay played a leading role in the massive win over Belgium in their first Nations League match. The Barcelona forward is a crucial player for Luis van Gaal’s side and is set to be their talisman in the match against Wales.
Prediction
The Netherlands will dominate this match through strategic pressing, possession recycling in midfield, and vertical passing to penetrate the Wales defence.
Wales will seek to be compact in their approach and use the pace of Bale and James in wide areas to cause Oranje trouble.
The Netherlands will win this match and make it six points out of six in their opening two Nations League fixtures.
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