Netherlands vs Lithuania form
A 1-1 draw in their visit to Poland a few days ago has almost guaranteed the Netherlands a ticket to the 2026 World Cup. Before the final match, Oranje are firmly at the top of the table with 17 points, 3 points more than the lower ranked team Poland.
As long as they don't lose against Lithuania, Ronald Koeman's team will complete their goal. Even if an earthquake occurs at the Johan Cruyff Arena, with the home team's shocking defeat, the scenario of Memphis Depay and his teammates winning tickets to North America is still very bright.
Simply because not only is there a difference in points, the Netherlands is also creating a big advantage in goal difference (+19 compared to Poland's +6). Of course, the scenario of comparing the secondary indexes is very unlikely to happen. With home field advantage and only having to welcome the bottom-ranked opponent like Lithuania, coach Koeman and his team will aim for a resounding victory.
In the first leg, Lithuania created some difficulties for the Orange Hurricane. But that was a match where the Dutch defense made some regrettable mistakes and only came away with a narrow 3-2 victory.
And now, when it is certain that they will be eliminated and have to march to the land of tulips as the bottom-ranked team, below even the weak Malta, it will be very difficult to expect Lithuania to create a surprise.
Since their 2-0 win over Latvia last June, Lithuania have gone 16 games without a win in all competitions (drawing 5 and losing 11). Not only were they held to a draw by Malta in both Group G matches, but coach Edgaras Jankauskas' team also lost both times against Cyprus in the UEFA Nations League.
With their current form, Lithuania winning their trip to Amsterdam is becoming unthinkable. Meanwhile, the Netherlands crushed their guests Malta and Finland with scores of 8-0 and 4-0.
The Netherlands' most recent home defeat came more than two years ago, when they hosted France in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. Since then, Koeman's team have been unbeaten in a total of 11 home games (winning eight and drawing three).
It would not be surprising if Van Dijk and his teammates created a resounding victory to thank the fans, and at the same time as a party to celebrate their ticket to the biggest football festival on the planet.
Netherlands vs Lithuania team information
Netherlands: Center back Jan Paul van Hecke is absent due to suspension.
Lithuania: Edvinas Girdvainis is absent due to suspension.
Expected lineup Netherlands vs Lithuania
Netherlands: Verbruggen; Timber, De Ligt, Van Dijk, Van de Ven; Gravenberch, De Jong; Simons, Reijnders, Gakpo; Depay
Lithuania: Svedkauskas; Tutyskinas, Armalas, Utkus; Sirvys, Gineitis, Vorobjovas, Golubickas, Lasickas; Cernych, Paulauskas
Prediction: 4-0
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/nhan-dinh-tran-dau-ha-lan-vs-lithuania-2h45-ngay-1811-oranje-san-sang-doi-mua-ban-thang-181868.html
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