Group C ends for the Netherlands on Monday evening as they prepare to take on debutant minnows North Macedonia in Amsterdam.
Frank de Boer’s men have been quietly impressive so far at Euro 2020 and have already booked their place into the round of 16 with a pair of wins against Ukraine and Austria.
Five goals have been scored in those two matches meaning Oranje, competing in their first international tournament for seven years, appear to have their mojo back.
North Macedonia have put on a valiant effort in their first-ever tournament but have ultimately fallen short.
One way traffic might be the expectation coming into this game with Netherlands available at 5/19 to win, North Macedonia at 10/1, and a draw priced at 21/4.
Comfortable Win In Sight For Netherlands
Realistically, this should the Netherlands’ easiest game of the group stage, so North Macedonia may enter it with a sense of trepidation.
They might not be at the same level as in the distant past, but, slowly but surely, De Boer is guiding his nation back to the top.
There were few expectations on the 2010 World Cup finalists coming into Euro 2020, simply because they hadn’t even qualified for the last two tournaments.
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But, particularly from an attacking standpoint, they have been impressive in their two games so far and a third win looks very likely.
An attacking line up of rangy forward Wout Weghorst and the talented Memphis Depay has caused problems elsewhere and it is expected North Macedonia may bear the brunt of that.
Netherlands are priced at 27/10 to score over 3.5 goals.
Captain Wijnaldum To Step Up Again
New PSG star Gini Wijnaldum is one of the most important members of the Dutch squad and their progress in the tournament could hinge on how well he steps up.
Many Liverpool fans were very sad to see him depart on a free transfer after a new contract could not be agreed at Anfield, and PSG have duly taken advantage by snapping him up on a free transfer.
His role for Holland has always been slightly different to Liverpool in that he has more license to get forward and score goals.
The former Newcastle man has 23 goals in 77 games, a very impressive strike rate for a midfielder and could add to that tally again.
He can be backed at 12/5 to score anytime.
Pandev Set For Fond Farewell
Qualifying for Euro 2020 meant so much to North Macedonia but Goran Pandev will probably have been the proudest.
The 37-year-old Champions League winner has been the talismanic figure for his country for around 15 years now and, in the twilight of his career, he can at least say he’s played in a summer tournament.
Pandev tapped into an empty net against Austria in what was a seismic moment for North Macedonian football.
Sadly, their inexperience at this level has counted against them and they are all but eliminated but they should approach this last game with a real sense of freedom, and may cause one or two problems for the Netherlands.
Pandev can be backed at 4/1 to score anytime.
*All odds correct at time of writing.
