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How Netherlands could line up against Belgium

How Netherlands could line up against Belgium

With Netherlands only requiring a draw against neighbouring Belgium on Sunday in order to top Group D of the UEFA Nations League, Louis van Gaal is unlikely to make many changes from the starting XI that comfortably dispatched Poland 2-0 on Thursday.

However, Teun Koopmeiners and Memphis Depay were both withdrawn due to head and muscle injuries respectively, and are therefore unlikely to be involved against Roberto Martinez‘s side given the quick turnaround between matches.

Cody Gakpo, who opened the scoring in Warsaw with his third strike in only eight international caps, could push further forward alongside Steven Bergwijn, whose return to form and regular game time since switching from Tottenham Hotspur to Ajax in the summer has provided a timely boost for Oranje ahead of the winter World Cup.

This would allow Steven Berghuis and Marten de Roon to bolster the midfield area, helping Frenkie de Jong deny the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard precious space between the lines, while attempting to dominate possession themselves.

Matthijs de Ligt and Tyrell Malacia were unused substitutes against Poland and provide van Gaal with decent options to come into the defence, but the 71-year-old is unlikely to want to tinker with his back line having just kept their first clean sheet of the Nations League campaign.

This means Remko Pasveer should keep his place in goal at the expense of Jasper Cillessen, having made his international debut at the age of 38 on Thursday.

Netherlands possible starting lineup: Pasveer; Timber, van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, De Roon, De Jong, Berguis, Blind; Bergwijn, Gakpo

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