Netherlands and France both made winning starts to Group D and this encounter in Leipzig will go a long way to deciding who advances to the knockout stages as group winners.
The Dutch came from behind to defeat Poland 2-1 while France ground out a 1-0 victory over Austria, a win marred by the injury sustained to talisman Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe broke his nose against the Austrians, an injury which could rule him out against the Netherlands, but the Dutch should still be fearful as Didier Deschamps has an array of attacking talent at his disposal.
- France to win & both teams to score @ 7/2 with bet365
- Denzel Dumfries to be carded @ 3/1 with bet365
- Over 1.5 Cody Gakpo shots on target @ 3/1 with bet365
Les Bleus can edge entertaining encounter
These two locked horns in qualifying for Euro 2020, with France taking six points, and the same outcome can be expected in Leipzig.
France ran riot in a 4-0 win at the Stade De France in March last year before Les Bleus recorded a 2-1 victory away at the Johan Cruijff Arena in October.
Dutch manager Ronald Koeman will be hoping that Mbappe, who scored a brace in both victories, misses out through injury.
However, even in the possibility of that unfortunate event, France are blessed with such strength in depth that Marcus Thuram, Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud are still going to cause problems.
The Netherlands looked vulnerable from set pieces in their 2-1 victory over Poland, who were also dangerous when breaking away at speed.
That doesn’t bode well against this French attack and Les Bleus, who have lost only two of their last 19 internationals, and are fancied to come out on top in an entertaining affair.
The Dutch racked up 21 shots against the Poles and they inherit star quality of their own in the final third, suggesting that they may be able to grab a consolation prize.
Tough evening in store for Dumfries
Denzel Dumfries provides plenty of creativity and energy for the Dutch down the right flank but the marauding full-back may have his defensive duties tested by the French.
Dumfries looks set for a tough evening with flying left-back Theo Hernandez and Thuram set to team up against him and, given the stakes, he represents value to pick up a booking.
The Inter man was cautioned when these teams last met and Hernandez and Thuram drew four fouls between them against Austria.
Dumfries, meanwhile, committed two fouls in victory against Poland and he may have to take one for the team if the French break away in numbers.
Gakpo likely to take responsibility for the Dutch
Cody Gakpo looked a livewire in the 2-1 victory over Poland on Sunday, regularly cutting in from the left, and he was rewarded for his bravery with the Dutch’s first-half equaliser.
Gakpo looks more confident playing for his country than he does for Liverpool and that was evident in the opening game as he had five shots, two of which were on target.
The 25-year-old has ten goals in his opening 25 caps and he looks a nice price to have at least two shots on target against France.
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