Looking to put a maiden Nations League victory on the board this weekend, the Netherlands will travel to Serbia on Sunday evening.
In the midst of an extended international break over the next few weeks, there are plenty of Nations League betting promotions available.
Verdict:
Best Odds:
Bookmaker: BetUS
Serbia
Starting with the hosts, while Veljko Paunovic might have only taken over the reigns less than a year ago, the one-time Reading boss already finds the pressure on his shoulders at a boiling point. Suffering an infamous collapse on home soil earlier in the week as they opened their Nations League campaign with a 2-1 loss against Greece on Thursday night, Serbia find themselves at the heart of a real crisis. Signing off June’s international fixtures with a woeful 5-1 drumming at the hands of Mexico, the Eagles have rightfully come under a huge amount of scrutiny. Showing some glaring defensive issues throughout 2026, Serbia have lost their previous three straight appearances by an aggregate score of 10-2. It should also be highlighted, Sunday’s hosts have failed to muster a single clean sheet over the past 12 months.
Serbia Team News
Picking up a hamstring injury earlier in the month, Nottingham Forest ace Nikola Milenkovic has been forced to miss out. Likewise, yet to make a single appearance so far this season, Bournemouth youngster Veljko Milosavljevic remains on the sidelines with his own respective muscle issue.
Making his move to Napoli a permanent one over the summer, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic will start between the sticks on Sunday evening. Now in his third campaign with Atalanta, 24-year-old Lazar Samardzic could be handed a start in the middle of the park and replace Nemanja Maksimovic.
Netherlands
As for the visitors, getting Xavi’s reign underway with a last-gasp 1-1 stalemate at home against historic foes Germany on Thursday night, the Netherlands will be looking to use that late flurry as a platform to build on. However, despite avoiding what would have been an infamous defeat in Amsterdam a few days ago, the former Barcelona boss knows that stability is key going forward. Watching their World Cup adventure come to a downbeat end at the Round of 32 stage back in June as they were hit with penalty shootout heartbreak against Morocco, the Orangers are also searching for some essential defensive steel. Dreaming of the chance to mount a genuine Nations League charge this year, the Netherlands have failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions.
Netherlands Team News
Limping off with what looked like a serious hamstring injury against Germany on Thursday night, the Netherlands will certainly be unable to call upon Sunderland marksman Brian Brobbey here. In what was a shock decision this month, Memphis Depay was completely omitted from Xavi’s maiden squad.
Likewise, in what was a real blow for Holland, red-hot Roma striker Donyell Malen was forced to withdraw from Xavi’s squad due to a reported knee injury. Completing a permanent switch to Turkish heavyweights Fenerbahce over the summer, ex-Manchester City defender Nathan Ake could be handed a recall.
Serbia vs Netherlands Key Factors to Consider
- Sunday’s showdown in Belgrade will remarkably be the first competitive meeting between Serbia and the Netherlands.
- Including their infamous Nations League collapse on Thursday night, Serbia have lost their last three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 10-2.
- Holland have failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions.
- Likewise, Serbia have failed to muster a single clean sheet over the past 12 months.
- Each of Serbia’s previous six appearances across all formats have finished with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Two camps who have shown their own defensive issues so far this calendar year, neutrals will be hoping for another dramatic Nations League showdown from Belgrade. With both Serbia and the Netherlands failing to muster a single clean sheet from any of their previous nine consecutive appearances across all competitions, Xavi’s new squad will certainly be hoping for smoother sailing on Sunday evening. With the Eagles suffering an infamous collapse on Thursday night and losing all of their last three straight showdowns by an aggregate score of 10-2, Holland will be desperate to make a public statement here.
Verdict:
Best Odds:
Bookmaker: BetUS
