Netherlands Vs Ukraine
Netherlands Vs Ukraine Sunday, 13th June 2021 – 20:00
UEFA EURO 2020, Group C
Pick: Ukraine or Draw (Double Chance)
Odds: 13/10
Bookmaker: Betway
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 11th June 2021)
Preview: The opening match of the tournament for these two sides will also mark their first ever competitive meeting. Can Frank de Boer’s Netherlands maximise home advantage inside Johan Cruyff Arena for their opening game of Group C against Andriy Shevchenko’s Ukraine?
UEFA EURO 2020 Betting at Betfair
Table of Contents
Netherlands – Momentum finally building under de Boer?
For the first time since 2014, we will be treated to the unmistakable presence of the Dutch at the finals of a major tournament. As the highest ranked team in Group C, as well as playing all three group games at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, the ingredients for a bold showing are irrefutable. However, whether this current Oranje crop can deliver on the big stage is altogether less certain.
The Netherlands produced six wins from eight qualifying matches, scoring 24 and conceding seven. They had to settle for second, though, behind the Germans. Despite beating the latter 4-2 away. If that result served to highlight their ability to compete against the elite, just two wins from seven subsequent games versus fellow EURO 2020 sides (Poland, Italy, Scotland and Spain) would imply they are vulnerable.
Both victories were over Poland, having been thrashed 4-2 by Turkey in the first of three 2022 World Cup qualifiers back in March. However results have gradually begun to pick up under former captain Frank de Boer. The 51-year-old overseeing five wins from the last seven matches (largely against middling opponents, but netting at least twice on each occasion) having failed to win any of his first five in charge.
Ukraine – Shevchenko determined to avoid unwanted record?
After bursting on to the scene to win their first ever match at the finals of a European Championship, Ukraine have since failed to win in five attempts, losing all five encounters without so much as registering a goal. As such, the top seeds in Group C (though they rank only third according to the FIFA rankings) find themselves immediately on the back foot ahead of their opening fixture.
In European Championship history, only Yugoslavia, between 1968 and 1980, have lost six tournament games on the bounce. Therefore should Ukraine lose their opening contest on Sunday, they will share the dubious honour for having the longest losing streak. One man in particular determined to ensure that does not happen will be Andriy Shevchenko, their all-time leading scorer-turned-inspirational coach.
Shevchenko is actually the only Ukrainian to score at the finals, grabbing a brace in a 2-1 victory against Sweden in 2012. An arguably more impressive feat, however, was steering his country through qualifying for this tournament unbeaten (W6 D2), ahead of reigning champions Portugal. Unfortunately much of this momentum has ebbed away, recording just four wins from thirteen since qualification.
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Netherlands Vs Ukraine Betting Advice
Although they have previously met on two occasions, both were classified as friendlies, with Netherlands prevailing 3-0 in Holland in 2008 before a 1-1 draw in Ukraine two years later. So this will mark their first competitive encounter. While bookmakers make the hosts – this Group C opener is being played in the Dutch capital, Amsterdam – clear favourites, I am not so sure it will be as clear cut as the odds suggest.
Netherlands Vs Ukraine – Key Facts:
- The Netherlands lead the head-to-head between the two countries (W1 D1). However this will represent the first meeting in a competitive setting (so excluding friendlies).
- The last time the Dutch featured at the tournament proper of a European Championship was in 2012, when they exited at the group stage following three straight defeats.
- Since winning their very first match at the European Championship (2-1 vs Sweden in 2012), Ukraine have lost all five games, failing to score in each encounter.
Ukraine’s run of results since qualification has been abysmal, losing half-a-dozen times to sides also competing at these finals. The Netherlands endured a similar rut though, winning only two (both times vs Poland) of seven against fellow EURO 2020 opponents since qualifying as a runner-up. Notably meanwhile, Ukraine have improved defensively, shipping just four goals in their past six games – four of these ending 1-1.
Best Betting Odds – Netherlands Vs Ukraine
Netherlands – 8/13 (Betfair)
Draw – 5/2 (PaddyPower)
Ukraine – 5/1 (Betway)
