By Betsefy
Barcelona duo Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay are expected to be named in a strong Netherlands starting lineup for Thursday’s UEFA Nations League encounter away against Poland.
The Oranje dropped points in the reverse fixture against Poland, drawing 2-2 on home soil in June, and Louis van Gaal‘s men now seek revenge as they bid to finish top of League A Group 4.
De Jong, who has played in every game of Netherlands’ Nations League campaign, is set to line up in centre-midfield with either Teun Koopmeiners or Davy Klaassen – the latter of whom scored in the draw with Poland – although Ajax’s Kenneth Taylor will be pushing to make his international debut after receiving his first call-up.
Meanwhile, Depay is expected to return to the first XI after coming off the substitutes’ bench to score in the 3-2 win against Wales last time out, with the 80-cap forward netting a 93rd-minute winner.
The 28-year-old could be partnered in attack by PSV Eindhoven’s in-form star Cody Gakpo – who has already netted 10 goals in 13 appearances for the Eredivisie side this term – while Steven Bergwijn, Wout Weghorst and Vincent Janssen are also options for Van Gaal in attack.
Jasper Cillessen and Mark Flekken are set to battle for the number one jersey, while captain Virgil van Dijk could be joined in the back three by Matthijs de Ligt and Stefan de Vrij, with Jurrien Timber, Nathan Ake and Bruno Martins Indi also centre-back options at Van Gaal’s disposal.
Manchester United’s Tyrell Malacia could keep his place at left wing-back ahead of Daley Blind, but there will be a change on the opposite flank as Hans Hateboer has not been selected in Van Gaal’s 25-man squad this month, with either Denzel Dumfries or Devyne Rensch set to take his place at right wing-back.
Netherlands possible starting lineup: Cillessen; De Ligt, Van Dijk, De Vrij; Dumfries, Berghuis, Koopmeiners, F. de Jong, Malacia; Gakpo, Memphis
