Netherlands v Ukraine predictions: Dutch master Depay can notch first

Free Euro 2020 football tips, best bets and analysis for Netherlands v Ukraine in Group C on Sunday.

Where to watch

Live on ITV, 8pm Sunday

Best bet

Memphis Depay to score first
1pt 9-2 BoyleSports

The Dutch master has grabbed 11 goals in his last 11 games for club and country and his individual brilliance may be what is required to break the deadlock in Amsterdam.

Team news

Netherlands
Captain Virgil van Dijk misses the tournament due to injury, while Donny van de Beek was forced to withdraw last week. Matthijs de Ligt has also been ruled out by manager Frank de Boer.

Ukraine
Viktor Tsygankov missed Ukraine's final two friendlies and must be assessed.

Match preview

Seven long years have passed since Netherlands last felt the buzz of a major tournament and their return to the big time at Euro 2020 will be buoyed by home support against Ukraine.

The Dutch failed to qualify for Euro 2016 in France and also missed the cut for the World Cup in Russia two years later, so will be eager to make up for lost time.

Netherlands are one of six teams with the added incentive of playing all three group games on home soil and expectations were raised after they were drawn into one of the softer sections.

But while home advantage and a favourable route are positives, the Dutch go into battle without the leadership of injured Virgil van Dijk and there are doubts about the capabilities of manager Frank de Boer.

The Oranje made huge strides under the stewardship of Ronald Koeman but that progress was halted when he was lured back to club management by Barcelona and was replaced by De Boer.

Netherlands have won only five of their 11 games since De Boer took charge and March’s 4-2 defeat to Turkey in World Cup qualifying exposed their defensive vulnerabilities without Van Dijk.

With De Boer still yet to settle on his favoured formation and Juventus centre-back Matthijs de Ligt also ruled out, there is no rush to be backing them at short prices.

Ukraine are a much-improved unit and they coasted through qualifying, going unbeaten in eight games and topping a section featuring Portugal and Serbia.

Andriy Shevchenko’s side have enjoyed mixed success since but they have recorded a Nations League victory over Spain and earned a World Cup qualifying draw in France since mid-October, so are certainly capable of posing problems on the counter-attack.

But while the Dutch may not have things all their own way, they do have some word-class operators in forward positions - none more influential than Memphis Depay.

Lyon’s leading marksman struck 20 times in 37 Ligue 1 games this season, with his efforts eclipsed by only Kylian Mbappe, and he looked sharp in his final preparations for Euro 2020.

The 27-year-old, who will be on set-piece duty, bagged a brace in the 2-2 friendly draw with Scotland earlier this month before opening the scoring in the 3-0 win over Georgia.

Key stat

Netherlands have conceded in eight of their last 12 internationals.

Inside info

Netherlands

Penalty taker Memphis Depay
Free-kick wizard Memphis Depay
Set-piece aerial threat Wout Weghorst
Card magnet Martin de Roon

Ukraine

Penalty taker Ruslan Malinovskyi
Free-kick wizardViktor Tsyhankov
Set-piece aerial threatRoman Yaremchuk
Card magnetSerhiy Sydorchuk

Lowdown

Venue Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam
Fans allowed 12,000
Time Zone BST +1 hour
Weather Sunny, max 22C
FIFA rankings Netherlands (16), Ukraine (24)

Bet builder

Both teams to score
Netherlands have some first-class options in forward areas but they look much weaker defensively, particularly considering the injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt. A youthful Ukraine side should have their moments.

Memphis Depay to score at any time
Depay’s reputation continues to grow and the dynamic Dutchman, who has scored seven goals in as many games for his country, may illustrate why with another match-winning performance.

Over 1.5 Ukraine cards
Andriy Shevchenko's side collected 13 cards across their eight European Championship qualifiers, and they also racked up six in March's two competitive fixtures with Finland and Kazakhstan.

The treble pays 11-2 with Bet365.

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