Netherlands v Czech Republic Tips: Dumfries can continue fine Euros form

Frank de Boer will be delighted with Netherlands performance so far, managing to top group C with nine points and the highest non-penalty xG of the tournament (6.80). With the favourable side of the draw which would mean playing the winner of Wales v Denmark in the next round, they are now into 9/1 on the outright market. 

Czech Republic’s only loss of the group stage came at the hands of England, picking up four points elsewhere with a win over Scotland and a draw with Croatia. Jaroslav Silhavy will be happy that his side have made it to the knockout stages, however have a tall order facing the Oranje Machine and are priced at 9/2 to win inside 90 minutes.  

Netherlands possible starting lineup:
Stekelenburg; De Vrij, Blind, De Ligt; Dumfries, De Jong, De Roon, Van Aanholt; Wijnaldum; Depay, Weghorst 

Czech Republic possible starting lineup:
Vaclik; Coufal, Celustka, Kalas, Mateju; Holes, Soucek; Masopust, Darida, Jankto; Schick

The Dutch winger is a selection I have tipped in previous articles covering Netherlands matches and I am looking to get him on side once again at this price of 11/8. 

After blanking in the first match of the tournament against Ukraine, he has gone on to score in both of his next matches. His last 10 international matches have seen him net a total of nine goals which is an incredible return for a player who is mainly wide left of the attack. Penalty duty is also a big bonus here, if Sergei Karasev is to point to the spot awarding a Netherlands penalty, it will be Depay who steps up.

Czech Republic are a big physical side and I expect them to make this game difficult for Netherlands. I expect Netherlands to win this match, however I don’t think it will be straight forward. Netherlands can be suspect at the back, but I think in this knockout game, they will both be very cautious and unders could be the way forward. 

Czech Republic have been racking up a fair few corners, managing six against both Scotland and England, and four against Croatia. Netherlands are also suspect for giving away corners and have conceded five against both North Macedonia and Austria. With expecting Netherlands to win this match, late pressure from Czech Republic could tip these corners over the line.

One of the stand out players in this Netherlands team so far this tournament is the PSV right back Denzel Dumfries. With Frank de Boer opting for a back five in the group stages, this has given Dumfries freedom to attack and impact the game in the final third. 

So far in Euro 2021 he has managed to score twice, constantly finding himself in the oppositions box. He should have scored on another occasion when the ball was squared to him and he missed from six yards out. In his three appearances so far, he has picked up the Star of the Match award twice, being rested at half time in his latest match. 16/1 looks a ridiculous price in this system where he will be almost playing as a forward.