Surprise Group A2 leaders Greece put their perfect start on the line at Toumba on Thursday night (7.45pm UK), and our Greece vs Netherlands predictions expect goals at both ends as Xavi’s side chase the win that would take them top.
Anthony Eadson’s Greece vs Netherlands predictions, best bets and score prediction are below.
Premium Tips
Our two Premium Tips for Thursday’s top-of-the-table clash in Thessaloniki are built around the Dutch attack and a defence that keeps leaking goals.
| Premium Tip | Odds | Why we’re backing it |
|---|---|---|
| Mexx Meerdink to score anytime | 15/8 (Paddy Power) | Mexx Meerdink has made an instant impact for the Netherlands, scoring both goals in Sunday’s 2-1 win in Serbia, including a 30th minute penalty, in only his second appearance. With Cody Gakpo back at Liverpool with an ankle injury and Brian Brobbey and Donyell Malen also out, the AZ striker is set to lead the line again. The Netherlands have scored in each of their last six matches, with 14 goals in that run, and they fired 25 shots at Serbia. Greece have conceded only once in this Nations League, but the Dutch have won nine of the 11 meetings between the nations, so 15/8 on Meerdink appeals. |
| Netherlands to win and both teams to score | 27/10 (Betfair Sportsbook) | Both teams have scored in each of the Netherlands’ last six matches, a run covering four World Cup games and both Nations League fixtures under Xavi. The Dutch have conceded in all six, yet they are unbeaten in 90 minutes in that spell and have scored 14 goals. Greece have netted in both group games so far, with Christos Tzolis, Anastasios Douvikas and Dimitrios Kourbelis all on the scoresheet, and this is their first home game of the campaign. History favours the visitors, who have won nine of the 11 meetings, including the last two. Three of those last six Dutch games ended in a Netherlands win with both teams scoring, so 27/10 is worth taking. |
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware — gambleaware.org · Odds correct at time of publishing.
How Greece go into the game
Greece top Group A2 with six points from six. They came from behind to win 2-1 in Belgrade through Tzolis and a 95th minute Douvikas goal, before Kourbelis struck in the 74th minute to beat Germany 1-0 in Augsburg.
This is Greece’s first home game of the campaign. Ivan Jovanovic’s side missed the World Cup after finishing third in their qualifying group, but they have conceded just once in this Nations League, and Tzolis set up the winner against Germany.
How Netherlands go into the game
Netherlands are second on four points under Xavi. Gakpo’s stoppage time goal earned a 1-1 draw with Germany in Amsterdam, and Meerdink then scored both goals, one of them a penalty, in a 2-1 win in Serbia.
The Dutch are unbeaten in six matches in 90 minutes, although their World Cup ended with a round of 32 shootout defeat to Morocco. Both teams have scored in all six of those games. Gakpo has gone back to Liverpool with an ankle injury, while Brobbey and Malen are also out.
Greece vs Netherlands head-to-head
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16/10/23 | Greece | 0-1 | Netherlands |
| 07/09/23 | Netherlands | 3-0 | Greece |
| 01/09/16 | Netherlands | 1-2 | Greece |
| 28/04/04 | Netherlands | 4-0 | Greece |
| 04/12/91 | Greece | 0-2 | Netherlands |
The Dutch have dominated this fixture, winning nine of the 11 meetings and keeping a clean sheet in every one of those wins. Greece’s only victory came in a 2-1 friendly win in the Netherlands in 2016. In 2023 the Netherlands won both Euro 2024 qualifiers, 3-0 at home and 1-0 in Athens.
Greece vs Netherlands predictions & betting tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexx Meerdink to score anytime | 15/8 (Paddy Power) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Two goals in two caps and set to lead the line with Gakpo and Brobbey out. |
| Netherlands to win and both teams to score | 27/10 (Betfair Sportsbook) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Both teams have scored in each of the Netherlands’ last six games. |
| Christos Tzolis to be fouled 2+ times | 1/1 (Paddy Power) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Greece’s main outlet on the counter, and he set up the winner against Germany. |
| Netherlands to win | 6/5 (bet365) | ⭐⭐⭐ | The Dutch have won nine of the 11 meetings and are unbeaten in six in 90 minutes. |
Greece vs Netherlands score prediction
Xavi’s Netherlands have the firepower to end Greece’s perfect start. Even so, a Dutch defence without a clean sheet in six games should give the hosts a goal at Toumba. Score prediction: Greece 1-2 Netherlands.
