The Netherlands get back into action with a Nations League match against Poland, and with this being the last international break before the World Cup, Louis van Gaal is likely to try out his strongest XI.
Bearing that in mind, here’s how they’ll probably line up.
GK: Jasper Cillessen – Given that Justin Bijlow isn’t in the squad and that Cillessen has been in fantastic form this season, he’ll likely get the nod ahead of Mark Flekken.
RCB: Jurrien Timber – Van Gaal chose Timber over Matthijs de Ligt in the previous matches because of his mobility and ability on the ball, and that will be the case again.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – He hasn’t been great for Liverpool this season, but it’ll take a lot more than a few bad matches for the Netherlands captain to lose his place.
LCB: Nathan Ake – Van Gaal wants a left-footed player in this position, and Ake is therefore all but guaranteed to start here.
RWB: Denzel Dumfries – Dumfries is now one of the first names on the team sheet given his excellent performances for both club and country.
RCM: Teun Koopmeiners – Steven Berghuis was moved deeper in place of Koopmeiners in the last break, but with the latter playing so well for Atalanta, he’ll likely be given another chance there.
LCM: Frenkie de Jong – He may not be starting every week for Barcelona, but he’s undroppable for the Netherlands.
LWB: Daley Blind – The hardest position to predict given Tyrell Malacia has been impressive for Manchester United, but Blind will probably still get the nod for his ability on the ball.
CAM: Steven Berghuis – With Koopmeiners coming back, Berghuis will return to the number 10 position in place of Davy Klaassen, unless Van Gaal wants to try Cody Gakpo there.
ST: Steven Bergwijn – Bergwijn was already the first-choice striker partner for Memphis Depay, and has only secured that spot further with his performances for Ajax.
ST: Memphis Depay: Like Frenkie, he may not be starting every week for Barcelona, but he’s undroppable for the Netherlands.
Finley Crebolder
