The Nations League returns with a heavyweight meeting in Amsterdam as the Netherlands host Germany on Thursday night.
There is a different feel around both sides after disappointing World Cup campaigns.
The Netherlands were knocked out by Morocco on penalties in the last 32. Germany also failed to make the impact they wanted during the summer.
Both countries responded by changing manager.
Xavi Hernández will take charge of the Netherlands for the first time. Meanwhile, Jürgen Klopp begins his reign as Germany boss at the Johan Cruyff ArenA.
It is quite an opening assignment for both.
These neighbours have rarely needed much help producing an entertaining game either. Their last meeting in Amsterdam finished 2-2, while five of their last seven encounters have seen both teams score.
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What are the best betting tips for Netherlands vs Germany?
Both teams to score
There is plenty of uncertainty around how these two teams will look under new management.
One thing we can reasonably expect is ambition.
Xavi has already made it clear that he wants the Netherlands to play attacking, possession-based football. Klopp hardly built his reputation by asking his teams to sit on the edge of their own box either.
The Dutch scored 11 times across their four World Cup matches this summer. However, they conceded against Japan, Sweden and Morocco.
Germany’s five World Cup games produced 18 goals at the other end of the pitch. Their recent results include a 2-1 defeat to Ecuador and a 1-1 draw with Paraguay.
There is also some history behind this angle.
Both teams scored when they drew 2-2 in Amsterdam in the 2024 Nations League. The same market landed in four consecutive meetings between 2019 and 2024.
With both managers trying to establish their style immediately, Thursday might not be the night for caution.
Cody Gakpo 2+ shots
The Netherlands attack suddenly looks a little thinner than it did when Xavi named his original squad.
Donyell Malen and Justin Kluivert have both withdrawn through injury. Mexx Meerdink and Guus Til have been called up as their replacements.
Memphis Depay and Wout Weghorst were already omitted from the original squad.
That should leave plenty of responsibility with Gakpo.
There is a slight caveat. Gakpo is a doubt with a groin problem, so his fitness needs monitoring before backing this selection.
If he starts, though, two attempts is a sensible line rather than asking him to score on the first night of a new tactical era.
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Florian Wirtz 1+ shot on target
Klopp taking charge of Germany creates an obvious subplot for Florian Wirtz given their Liverpool connections.
The Dutch will want to dictate the game. Germany should therefore have opportunities to attack the spaces they leave behind.
Wirtz does not need a goal for this one.
One accurate effort will be enough.
What have the managers said?
Xavi Hernández
Xavi could hardly have been handed a bigger fixture for his first game as Netherlands boss.
Speaking after his appointment, he admitted the prospect of facing Germany and Klopp immediately appealed to him.
“I feel excited, I feel motivated.”
He described Germany as one of Europe’s leading teams and Klopp as one of the outstanding coaches of recent years.
The former Barcelona boss has also been clear about the football he wants to produce.
“I remember when I was a kid, watching the Netherlands and watching good football.”
Xavi has spoken about playing attacking football, controlling possession and bringing more energy to the national team.
Jürgen Klopp
Klopp has taken a slightly unusual approach to his first international window.
Germany have named 44 players across two separate squads, with 24 selected for the opening games against the Netherlands and Greece.
Klopp explained that there is no first and second team.
“We want to win all four matches.”
He said the squads have instead been designed to find the right balance between positions, character, youth and experience.
Thursday will be Klopp’s first match as Germany manager.
Not exactly easing himself into the job.
What is the Netherlands’ predicted team?
(4-3-3) Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Hecke, Van Dijk, Hato; Gravenberch, Veerman, Reijnders; Frimpong, Brobbey, Gakpo.
Injured: Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Jerdy Schouten, Xavi Simons, Mats Wieffer, Ian Maatsen, Justin Kluivert, Donyell Malen.
Doubt: Cody Gakpo.
Xavi has several decisions to make for his first XI.
Brian Brobbey offers a natural focal point after Memphis Depay and Wout Weghorst were left out. Ruben van Bommel could also make his senior debut after earning his first call-up.
What is Germany’s predicted team?
(4-2-3-1) Ter Stegen; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Raum; Pavlović, Nmecha; Gnabry, Wirtz, Musiala; Woltemade.
Germany’s squad is much harder to predict because of Klopp’s enormous first selection.
Marc-André ter Stegen has returned to the international setup, while Serge Gnabry, Yann Bisseck, Kevin Schade and Anton Stach are among those recalled.
Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah and Aleksandar Pavlović are also in the group available for the opening part of the international window.
Netherlands vs Germany prediction
Trying to predict the first match under one new manager is difficult enough.
Doing it when both teams have changed coach feels particularly unhelpful.
The Netherlands have home advantage and enough technical quality to play the football Xavi wants. However, they are missing several important players.
Germany have arguably more depth available, and Klopp has certainly given himself enough options by calling up almost enough players to start his own league.
Neither side looks especially convincing defensively.
That could make this a much more open game than either manager would ideally want on debut.
There may not be much between them.
Score prediction: Netherlands 2-2 Germany
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