England v Netherlands Live Preview & Betting – Hodgson’s Men Out For Another Big Performance

Tuesday 29th March. 8PM. ITV 1

Having started 2016 with a bang, Roy Hodgson’s men continue their preparations for Euro 2016 with a first home game of the calendar year as they welcome the Netherlands to Wembley.

The Dutch might not be heading to France this summer, but Danny Blind’s men will serve stiff competition for the Three Lions. Recent fixtures between these nations have been extremely exciting and there should be plenty more drama on Tuesday night.

Come on England!

Hodgson To Analyse Options

Following the heroic comeback against Germany on Saturday night, Hodgson would love to continue with the same team against the Dutch. However, this is the final meet up before Hodgson confirms his plans for this summer’s tournament in France, and he’ll be eager to make the most of this opportunity at Wembley by seeing the likes of Danny Drinkwater in action.

Nevertheless, England will want to keep the momentum going with what would be an eighth win in nine matches. Previous wins over France and Germany, as well as a solid performance in the 2-0 loss to Spain, should give the home crowd plenty of optimism.

While the Lions are still a little short of being considered favourites for Euro 2016, this fresh looking squad does look capable of producing vast improvements on what we’ve seen in recent times. The likes of Danny Rose, Dele Alli and Jamie Vardy will all be hoping to continue impressive starts with another big performance against the Dutch. If the team performs as it did on Saturday, it should face very few problems indeed.

A win would be great, but the performance is paramount at Wembley. Let’s hope for more of the same at Wembley.

Can Dutch Rediscover Total Football?

The World Cup semi-finalists have endured an awful campaign and will be missing out on this summer’s party altogether after a monstrous implosion. As they prepare to honour legend Johan Cruyff once again at Wembley, Blind’s men are in desperate need of unleashing the brand pioneered by the football icon.

Netherlands began 2016 in the same way that most of 2015 treated them as they fell 3-2 to France. Goals haven’t been a major issue for a side that’s scored at least twice in each of its last four matches. However, there are real issues at the back for the visitors right now, and things haven’t been made easier by the training ground injury to goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.

This is very much a team in transition and, in spite of the reputation, it’s not hard to see why Blind’s men have struggled. An attacking line of Memphis Depay, Luuk De Jong and Ibrahim Afellay is hardly the same as having Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben in their pump.

Nonetheless, this youthful side is capable of great things on its day and can give England a real test at Wembley. Whatever happens, it should be a cracking international friendly. Hopefully, we’ll be able to capitalise on the drama with some winning bets too.

England v Netherlands Betting

With home advantage on their side, Hodgson’s men are 4/6 favourites at Bet365 while the Netherlands can be backed at 17/4. The draw is priced 13/5.

England will be determined to continue their impressive start to 2016 in style and should cause problems for the Dutch throughout. However, the manager will want a chance to see other players, which might reduce the chances of victory.

There are still deficiencies at the back, which the Netherlands can capitalise on. Nevertheless, England will be confident. One way or the other, we think there will be goals.

It will be a rotated team and one name expected to gain promotion to the starting XI is Leicester’s Vardy. His goal in Berlin was ridiculous while his high pressing could be a constant threat against the Netherlands too.

Vardy’s rise to fame has quite literally become a Hollywood tale and an England goal at Wembley would be yet another magical moment. At nearly 2/1, it has to be worth a punt.