Euro 2020 Group C predictions & odds: Ukraine can chase home the Dutch

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Netherlands-Ukraine straight forecast
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Group C preview

After failing to qualify for successive major tournaments, the Netherlands arrive at Euro 2020 eager to return to the international stage with a bang. A kind draw in Group C has given them a good chance of doing so, with the three other teams lacking a track record at major tournaments.

Frank De Boer’s team have been dealt a severe blow with the injury to Virgil van Dijk, but in Stefan de Vrij they have a more than adequate replacement to partner Matthijs de Ligt. Goals are a worry though, and midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum their top scorer in qualifying.

However, the likelihood is that those issues won’t be tested significantly until the knockout stages as they should have enough quality in other areas to win the group.

While the Netherlands should be comfortable winners of the group, the race for second is a close one. There is very little between Austria and Ukraine, as demonstrated by the fact they stand 23rd and 24th respectively in the Fifa rankings.

Austria's recent 4-0 humiliation by Denmark doesn't inspire confidence that this is a team on the cusp of a big showing and for North Macedonia, simply qualifying for this competition was a huge achievement. Their lack of quality may be exposed against this superior opposition.

Austria and Ukraine will face off in what is likely to be a crucial decider in Bucharest on the June 21, and Ukraine are taken to edge a close encounter and finish second behind the Netherlands.

Though Andrey Shevchenko's squad may not have as many big names as Austria, they do have match-winners in attacking areas and have proved with big results against Spain and France in the last 12 months that they can challenge the top teams.

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