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Uefa Nations League preview: Netherlands host France as Wales welcome Denmark

By Haruna Mubarak
UEFA League Nations preview: Netherlands host France as Wales welcome Denmark
UEFA League Nations preview: Netherlands host France as Wales welcome Denmark
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World Champions France will be hosted by the Netherlands in Rotterdam on Friday in the Uefa Nations League at 7:45 pm whiles Wales welcome Denmark as Ryan Giggs eyes revenge against the Danish Dynamites.

We, therefore, start by taking a look ahead to today's Nations League clash between Holland and France in Rotterdam.

HEAD TO HEAD STATS

The two giant clubs have faced each other 27 times, with France leading 13 wins to 10, and four draws.

Their most recent meeting was in September this year when Olivier Giroud's goal gave France a 2-1 win in their first home game since winning the World Cup.

Giroud

TEAM NEWS

The home side have an omission in Arnaut Danjuma due to match fitness but the Didier Deschamps will be in a state of dilemma as his crucial players are injured.

The French will be without Manchester United duo Paul Pogba and on-fire Anthony Martial as well as Alexander Lacazette who withdrew from the squad with an injury just hours after being given a recall of his own.

ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION

A win would move the Netherlands one point adrift of France with a game still to play, and would also automatically relegate Germany before the two meet in Gelsenkirchen on Monday.

France's 2-1 win in Paris in the reverse fixture is the only defeat suffered in the last seven games by the rejuvenated Dutch side under the guidance of Ronald Koeman.

France will be stifled by opponents easier following their injuries. Anthony Martial who became the seventh player in United history to score in five consecutive Premier League matches will together with Pogba be a huge miss for the Les Bleus.

Netherlands fearful attacker, Memphis Depay will be available to cause carnage to the France backline. Again, one of the standout defenders in the world at the moment, Van Dijk will also start against the Les Bleus to prevent his side from conceding.

PREDICTION

Netherland 2 - 1 France

Ryan Giggs side, Wales will be hoping to seek vengeance against the Åge Hareide's Denmark at Cardiff City Stadium in the Uefa Nations League.

HEAD TO HEAD STATS

Wales have faced Denmark nine times, with the Danish Dynamites winning five to Wales four. Christian Erikson's brace gave Denmark all-three points against Wales in their reverse meeting, in September.

ERIKSON

TEAM NEWS

Ryan Giggs will have his darling boy this time in Gareth Bale, whose return will massively boost Wales after he suffered an ankle knock at Real Madrid. Chris Mepham and Neil Taylor are out injured, while left-back Ben Davies is suspended.

Denmark's most notable absentee is captain and centre-back Simon Kjaer, who is injured.

ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION

For Wales to top the group, they need to win at Cardiff City Stadium in their fourth and final match of their inaugural campaign. Denmark, meanwhile, could triumph with a draw on Friday, provided they beat the Republic of Ireland at home on Monday.

Wales have conceded seven goals in their last four internationals, as many as they had conceded in their previous 12. Denmark are unbeaten in their last three games (W2 D1), keeping a clean sheet in each match.

The encounter will be hugely decided by both key men, Gareth Bale of Wales after being directly involved in six goals in his four appearances for Wales in 2018 (4 goals, 2 assists) and Christian Erikson of Denmark who netted a brace in the reverse fixture.

PREDICTION

Wales 2 - 1 Denmark

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