Netherlands vs. Italy Betting Tips: Two bets for Nations League third place play-off

Winning the Nations League is no longer possible for Netherlands and Italy, who lock horns at the De Grolsch Veste (Enschede) on Sunday in the third place play-off match.

Betting preview and tips justifications can be viewed below.

The Netherlands entered into the Nations League finals as favourites to lift the trophy on home soil, only to suffer a 4-2 extra-time defeat to Croatia in the semi-finals.

Donyell Malen gave the hosts a first-half lead but Croatia hit back with two second-half goals. Noa Lang forced extra-time following a 96th minute equaliser, before Croatia fired twice in extra-time to secure their place in the Final against Spain.

The Spanish defeated Italy 2-1 in the other semi-final thanks to an 88th minute winner from Joselu.

The countries have twice met before in the Nations League with Italy winning 1-0 in Holland followed by a 1-1 draw on home soil.

It's the Netherlands, however, who edge the betting to win the third place play-off at 13/10, Italy are available at 2/1, while a draw is priced at 5/2 (all odds in 90 minutes).

Admittedly, it's difficult envisioning either side being 100% up for this one given they both missed out on the Final, while it's a tough task to predict the line-ups given that nothing of real note is at stake.

With that said, we do feel we still have two bets that are well worth considering.

We'll start off by dipping our toes into the cards market where Italy's Nicolo Zaniolo can be backed at 3/1 (UniBet) to be carded on Sunday.

The 23-year-old has experienced a pretty card-heavy season, picking up eight yellows and two reds for club and country.

Sent off for a nasty tackle in his penultimate club match of the season for Galatasaray just six minutes after he was substituted on, he then returned to the referee's little book in Italy's 2-1 defeat to Spain for a clumsy challenge.

In case you're wondering, Zanioli is 33/1 (bet365) to receive yet another red.

For the second bet we're venturing into the anytime goalscorer where you'll find the in-form Donyell Malen at a tempting 10/3 with William Hill.

Malen may have experienced Bundesliga heartbreak as Dortmund agonisingly missed out on the title on the final day, however, individually he enjoyed a stunning end to the season.

At one point he managed to cram in eight goals and five assists in the space of eight league games between March and May.

He would go on to score the opener against Croatia on Wednesday, which was his tenth goal in 18 matches for club and country since February. Prior to that, the versatile player had scored once all season, and that was back in July.

A player well in the groove, we really like the look of him to bag another goal against an Italian team that have lost three of their last four matches.