Netherlands vs Belgium: UEFA Nations League Preview, Matchday 6, 2022

Netherlands will look to top their group and ensure that they finish their Nations League campaign unbeaten when they clash with Belgium on Sunday night, after winning four of their first five games.

After cruising past Poland on Thursday, The Oranje extended their unbeaten run to 14 games. They will only need a point to ensure qualification.

"We are undefeated under Louis Van Gaal and we want to remain undefeated. We want to beat Belgium tomorrow and reach the final 4 of the Nations League" said Virgil Van Dijk in the pre-game press conference.

Belgium have not had a bad campaign themselves, taking 10 points from five games. However, they have a mountain to climb, with the Red Devils needing to score four if they have any chance of qualifying. Not an easy task against Van Dijk.

Belgium's 4-1 defeat in the reverse fixture looks to have crushed their chances, but stranger things have happened in football.

Louis Van Gaal doesn't seem to think an upset is on the cards though. "We will win tomorrow" he confidently said to the media.

Team News

Netherlands

The Dutch have suffered a quadruple injury blow since their last outing.

Teun Koopmeiners had to be stretchered off one minute into the Poland game after colliding with his opponent, causing a concussion. He has now left the training camp.

Memphis Depay (upper leg) and Frankie De Jong (thigh) are also not in contention. They have also both left the training camp and have returned to Barcelona, the statement confirmed.

Steven Berghuis is a doubt and is unlikely to feature.

In their places, Ajax forward Brian Bobbey and Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch have both been handed call ups.

The duo will be keen to prove themselves to their coach with the World Cup fast approaching.

Belgium

In contrast, Belgium escaped their victory over Wales unscathed meaning that Roberto Martinez has a full squad at his disposal.

With the World Cup on the horizon, Martinez may choose to experiment with his squad and give chances to the fringe players with there being a very slim chance of leapfrogging their opponents.

Likely lineups

Netherlands

Passveer; De Ligt, Van Dijk, Timber, Blind, Dumfries; De Roon, Taylor; Gakpo, Bergwijn, Weghorst

Belgium

Courtois; Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Dendonker, Castagne, Carrasco; Witsel, Tielemans; Hazard, Batshuayi, De Bruyne

Key Players

Netherlands- Cody Gakpo

After being strongly linked with a host of Premier League clubs in the summer, including Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool, Cody Gakpo has had an impressive start to the season for PSV.

He has notched eight goals in seven games in the Eredivisie, including a hat-rick against FC Volendam. Gakpo also has two goals in three starts in the Nations League, proving to be an elite forward for both club and country. The forward will look to take this fine form into Sunday and will fancy his chances in adding to his tally.

Belgium- Kevin De Bruyne

With six assists and a goal in his last five games, Kevin De Bruyne is currently head and shoulders above any midfielder in the world. In the Premier League this season he has averaged a staggering eight chances a game created - the most in the division. He also tops the charts for most assists and most through balls.

Belgium are in need of a miracle but luckily for them, they have the man who knows how to dig his team out of a hole and step up when the chips are down. Four goals without reply is a tough ask but if anyone is to instigate such a performance it is De Bruyne.