Scotland take on Holland in a friendly at the Pittodrie Stadium on Thursday evening, with both sides looking to make fresh starts after failing to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Russia. The visitors are one of Europe’s biggest names, however recent form suggests that this will be anything but an easy victory for the men in Orange.
Friendly Match – Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen – Thursday 9th November – 19:45 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 11/5 at Ladbrokes |
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Scotland
NetherlandsMatch Preview
Scotland’s interim manager Malky Mackay will be looking to get off to a good start having taken over following the departure of Gordon Strachan, however an encounter with Holland is hardly the ideal encounter in which to do so. Neither side covered themselves in glory during their respective World Cup qualifying campaigns, with Holland once again failing to make it to a major tournament. Dutch manager Dick Advocaat will now look to use such fixtures as a way of bedding in new talent, with Arjen Robben having retired from international football.
Scotland Team News & Form
After missing out on a place in the World Cup qualifying playoffs on goal difference, Scotland will be hoping to give their fans something to cheer about with a win over Holland on home soil. However, with both Darren Fletcher and Celtic striker Lee Griffiths having withdrawn from the squad through injury, Scotland will have to be at their best to take anything from the game. Young Nottingham Forest striker Jason Cummings could well start in an attacking role, with the likes of James Forrest and Ryan Fraser also in line for appearances for an inexperienced home side. Meanwhile, having impressed for Celtic all season, Kieran Tierney is certain to start in a Scotland defence who conceded 17 goals during their recent qualifying campaign.
Holland Team News & Form
Holland also missed out on a World Cup qualifying place on goal difference alone, with manager Advocaat under pressure to kick-start a new beginning for Dutch football. Lyon winger Memphis Depay is a likely starter following his recent form for French club Lyon, while the likes of Daley Blind, Virgil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum are Premier League-based players likely to feature.
With Bayern Munich star Robben having retired from international football, the emphasis will be on the likes of Vincent Jansson and Das Bost to score the goals in Aberdeen.
Head to Head
The two teams have met a total of 18 times in competitive fixtures in the past, with Holland having the better record between the two thanks to eight wins from such encounters. In fact, the Dutch have won the previous three meetings, the last of which came back in 2009, when they ran out 1-0 winners at Hampden park.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Despite playing this game away from home, it comes as little surprise that it is Holland who are the favourites for victory with many online bookmakers due to their recent form. However, those looking to back a win for Scotland can find best odds of 13/5 at Ladbrokes, while backing both teams to score is another market worth considering, with odds of 5/6 available with the same bookie.
Top Betting Tip
However, our top betting tip for the match is to bet on Holland to beat Scotland in Aberdeen, which can be found at best odds of 7/5 at Ladbrokes.