The semi-finals of the Nations League begin on Wednesday with the Netherlands, hosts for the Finals series, taking on Croatia in Rotterdam.
Both enjoyed decent World Cup campaigns, with the Oranje going out in the quarter-finals to Argentina on penalties, before the Croats also fell victim to the eventual champions in the last four.
The winner of Wednesday’s match will go on to face either Spain or Italy in Sunday’s final, with the losers of both games having to settle for a spot in the bronze medal battle earlier in the day.
After long seasons for both club and country, both Ronald Koeman and Zlatko Dalic will be urging their players to go back to the well and produce two more big performances before heading off for the summer.
Home advantage could be key, with the Dutch breakout star from Qatar potentially set to make the difference at De Kuip.
Football Bet of the Day – Wednesday 14th June
- Cody Gakpo Anytime @ 2/1
Date: Wednesday 14th June, 2023
Time: 19:45
Location: De Kuip, Rotterdam
It seems strange to describe a player who is now a regular for one of the biggest clubs in the world as a ‘breakout star’, but that was the role Cody Gakpo fulfilled for his country at the World Cup.
Gakpo netted in all three Group A games for Louis van Gaal’s side and, while he failed to maintain that impact in the knockout stages, he did enough to enhance the interest in him and Liverpool signed him from PSV Eindhoven.
After a slow start, the 24-year-old found his feet at Anfield and looks the likely long-term heir to Roberto Firmino as Jurgen Klopp’s false nine.
With no real out-and-out striker, and Memphis Depay sidelined with a calf injury, Gakpo is sure to play a leading role in his country’s attack, especially with returning boss Ronald Koeman vowing to be more positive than his predecessor and eternal rival, Van Gaal.
After being outclassed 4-0 in Koeman’s first game back against France, the Dutch bounced back with a 3-0 victory over Gibraltar, but may struggle to be quite as dominant against a fine Croatian side, albeit one that also lacks goals.
The Vatreni will also be without star defender Josko Gvardiol due to an abductor issue, while his regular partner Dejan Lovren has retired from international football.
There should, therefore, be space for Gakpo to exploit and it could well prove worthwhile to back him at 2/1 to score a seventh international goal.
This will be the first time the two sides have met since 2008 and, while a repeat of that 3-0 victory for the Dutch is unlikely, the crowd will be rocking in Rotterdam and the Liverpool star could well be his hero as they aim for a final date with either the Azzurri or La Roja.
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