- 1 Netherlands vs Germany: two managers making their debuts on the same night, a rare twist in the history of this fixture
- 2 Netherlands: a new cycle, fresh faces and a defence to rebuild
- 3 Germany: 44 called up, 16 uncapped and their top scorer left behind
- 4 Football Prediction Netherlands vs Germany
- 5 First, a word on our free picks
- 6 No commitment from us
- 7 Information changes
- 8 Your responsibility
- 9 Responsible gambling first
- 10 Legal age
- 11 About the visuals…
Netherlands vs Germany: two managers making their debuts on the same night, a rare twist in the history of this fixture 
On 24 September, two managers take charge of their very first competitive match on the same pitch. Xavi Hernandez for the Netherlands, Jurgen Klopp for Germany: it’s unusual enough to shape the game on its own.
This fixture kicks off the fifth edition of the Nations League, with the league phase running from 24 September to 17 November. Kick-off is set for 20:45 Paris time at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam.
The two nations share Group 2 of League A with Serbia and Greece. The top two go through to the March 2027 quarter-finals, while the bottom side drops straight into League B.
The Netherlands arrive with a completely new staff. Xavi Hernandez, 46, was appointed last August on a deal through to 2030, after two years away from the dugout since leaving Barcelona in May 2024.
Germany come into this after a World Cup that cost Julian Nagelsmann his job. Knocked out by Paraguay on penalties in the round of 16, Die Mannschaft have now suffered three straight early exits in the competition.
Klopp was appointed soon after in July, also until 2030. His first camp already turned heads: 44 players called up, split into two separate groups, including 16 uncapped names.
The first of those groups travels to Amsterdam before hosting Greece in Augsburg on 27 September. The second batch takes over in October against Serbia and then Greece.
On the Netherlands side, the 26-man squad has also raised eyebrows, mainly for who is missing. Memphis Depay does not make the cut, while Virgil van Dijk, 35, carries on after the doubts sparked by the last World Cup.
Two teams rebuilding, one opening night, a full house: this looks far more likely to be messy than controlled. And that is exactly where the call comes from.
Netherlands: a new cycle, fresh faces and a defence to rebuild 
The Netherlands were knocked out of the 2026 World Cup in the round of 16, beaten by Morocco. That defeat accelerated the coaching change and opened the door to a squad overhaul.
Xavi has named 26 players for this first camp. The most talked-about omission remains Memphis Depay, long the attacking reference point for the Netherlands.
The Spanish coach has, however, given a chance to Ruben van Bommel. The PSV Eindhoven left winger, 22, receives his first senior call-up for the Netherlands after a long knee injury.
Gjivai Zechiel is part of that wave too. The 22-year-old midfielder has scored five goals in six Eredivisie matches for Feyenoord this season, form that more than earns his place.
Virgil van Dijk remains the pillar around which Xavi is building his defence. At 35, Liverpool’s captain still carries the authority of a leader in a back line that has precious little collective understanding.
That is where the real work starts for the Netherlands. A defence changing its principles after only a few training sessions is always exposed in transition, especially against a side that will not be shy.
The Dutch do at least have the setting working for them. The ArenA, the first game of the campaign, an opponent in the middle of change: few matches hand you a better platform to start a cycle.
Try it for $0.99.
Germany: 44 called up, 16 uncapped and their top scorer left behind 
Klopp has built his first squad like a workshop. Forty-four names, two groups, 16 players with no senior caps at all: the message is a full reset.
The biggest surprise is Deniz Undav. The striker was Germany’s top scorer at the last World Cup, with three goals and two assists, yet he is nowhere near the 44.
Leroy Sane has been treated the same way. The Galatasaray winger, with 80 caps to his name, will not be joining the new boss for this first assignment.
The back line has also lost a major reference point. Antonio Rudiger confirmed his international retirement in early September, aged 33, after more than a decade in the national side.
The camp was troubled before it even got going. Assan Ouedraogo came off after 35 minutes for RB Leipzig in the 5-0 win over Hamburg, with his shoulder hurting again.
To fill the gaps, Klopp has gone deep down the pecking order. Felix Keidel, 23, was still in the German third tier with Ingolstadt until summer 2025 before moving on to Elversberg.
The key point is simple: a team packed with newcomers rarely turns into a sealed unit on first outing. Germany will have moments of quality, but there will be gaps too.
Probable Netherlands line-up: Not available at the time of publication.
Probable Germany line-up: Not available at the time of publication.
Football Prediction Netherlands vs Germany
Our prediction: both teams to score
The main argument is the state of both defences. The Netherlands are rebuilding their centre-back partnership around Van Dijk with no recent automation, while Germany arrive with 16 players who have never been capped and without Rudiger.
The attacking threat still looks intact on both sides. Zechiel comes in off five goals in six Eredivisie games, Van Bommel brings pace and thrust down the left, and Klopp has a squad deep enough to push forward with energy.
The schedule points the same way. First game of the campaign, two managers getting to know their groups, and no urgent points pressure: these are the usual ingredients for an open contest.
So the call is straightforward. Both teams score in Amsterdam.
in your pocket.
Real-time notifications & alerts
_________
First, a word on our free picks
- What we publish on mathodds is analysis, nothing more. We share an opinion, a read on the moment, but never a guarantee. Sport is what it is: unpredictable. A red card, an injury, a goal from nowhere… and the script changes completely.
- Let’s be clear: there is no risk-free bet. Even when something looks “obvious”, nothing truly is. And yes, that means you can lose. In fact, that’s going to happen sooner or later.
- The best approach is to stay sensible. Bet small, set a budget and stick to it. Above all, don’t touch money you need to live. And never chase your losses; it rarely ends well.
- A bet should stay a game, not a job or a source of income. If you feel it is taking up too much space in your daily life, if it’s frustrating you or putting you under pressure, take a break. And if you need to, speak to a specialist service. That’s what it’s there for.
- At the end of the day, the responsibility is yours. Reading our content means accepting that risk exists and never goes away, even with the best analysis in the world.
- Important reminder: betting is forbidden to minors and must comply with the law in your country. Gambling can go off the rails quickly (money loss, family tension, addiction). Need Help? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. In the UK? Visit https://www.gambleaware.org/https://www.gambleaware.org/.
No commitment from us
Our predictions are not a contract. They have no legal force. Put simply: you cannot use them to claim anything if a bet loses.
Information changes
A prediction is always based on what is known at the time it is written. But in the meantime, a team sheet changes (like the Netherlands one, for example), a player gets injured, the weather turns bad… and the analysis can quickly become outdated. We cannot be held responsible for that.
Your responsibility
Before betting, make sure it is legal where you are. If it is not, that is your responsibility, not ours.
Responsible gambling first
We cannot say it enough: play in moderation. If you struggle to stay in control, do not wait to get help. We cannot be responsible for compulsive or excessive use of the information published on the site.
Legal age
mathodds content is for adults only. By browsing here, you confirm that you are of legal age to bet.
About the visuals…
The images and logos of the Netherlands and Germany on mathodds, including those linked to the Nations League, are there only to illustrate our articles. They do not mean we have any official link with a federation or a sports organisation, and we make no claim to any rights over them.
Those rights belong to the original creators. If, despite our care, any visual causes a problem, contact us: it will be removed without delay.
Our only aim with these images is to make the reading experience better. Nothing more. No commercial gain, no taking credit for someone else’s work.
Leave a Reply