Latvia vs. Netherlands: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream & TV Info
The Netherlands head to Latvia in desperate need of three points as they seek to get their Euro 2016 qualification campaign back on track.
The Oranje have disappointed so far in a group they were expected to dominate, and currently find themselves sat in third place having accrued just seven points in their five games.
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Meanwhile, Latvia will be aiming to avoid a repeat of the 6-0 thrashing they received at the hands of the Dutch when the two sides met in November.
Netherlands boss Guus Hiddink will be hoping a comfortable victory can restore some confidence to his side, who threw away a 3-1 lead to lose 4-3 to the USA in Amsterdam in their last run out.
Here is all the information you need to catch the game via TV or live streaming, as well as the latest team news and predicted starting XIs.
Date: Friday, June 12
Time: 7:45 p.m. BST, 2:45 p.m. ET
TV: Sky Sports Red Button, FOX Soccer Plus
Live Stream: Sky Go, FOX Soccer 2Go USA
Team News
According to Reuters, via Eurosport, Hiddink dropped three players following the defeat to USA. Tjaronn Chery, Davy Propper and Joel Veltman have all been sent home by the manager and will not feature against Latvia.
Reuters' Mark Gleeson also reports that Jordy Clasie is set to miss out as he is suffering with stomach flu, while Ron Vlaar will be absent due to injury. Gleeson notes, via the Daily Mail, that superstar Arjen Robben will be absent owing to his season-ending calf injury.
According to Darren Plant of Sports Mole, the Dutch team is likely to undergo a personnel change from the side that lost in Amsterdam, with Sneijder and Stefan de Vrij likely to be in contention for a starting berth.
Plant also notes that Latvia coach Marian Pahars will have a full complement of players to choose from, save for the injured Olegs Laizans.
Here are the predicted starting XIs for both sides:
| Netherlands | Jasper Cillessen; Daryl Janmaat, Daley Blind, Stefan de Vrij, Bruno Martins Indi; Georginio Wijnaldum, Wesley Sneijder, Memphis Depay, Luciano Narsingh; Robin van Persie, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar |
| Latvia | Andris Vanins; Kaspars Gorkss, Kaspars Dubra, Vitalijs Maksimenko, Gints Freimanis; Igors Tarasovs, Artis Lazdins, Arturs Zjuzins, Aleksejs Visnakovs; Deniss Rakels, Valerijs Sabala |
Latvia are yet to win in Group A, but will be buoyed by credible draws with Turkey and the Czech Republic.
Their main threat will likely come in the form of Valerijs Sabala. The 20-year-old has scored three of his side's goals in qualification, and as Dutch Football notes on Twitter, the Netherlands have struggled heavily at the back during Hiddink's second spell in charge:
"FT Netherlands 3-4 USA unbelievable. Another shocking defensive performance under Hiddink.
— Dutch Football (@football_oranje) June 5, 2015"
The defensive lapses have been evident, as the Oranje have lost five of their last nine matches.
Per Gleeson, Hiddink also believed the loss of Robben would have a significant impact on his side: "With the absence of Arjen Robben, the team will lose 30 to 40 percent of its quality and production. That's the impact he has shown over the last year and a half."
Even so, the Dutch should possess more than enough firepower to overcome Latvia.
Huntelaar and Memphis Depay (see the video below) were magnificent going forward against the USA, while Robin van Persie will have added motivation to get on the scoresheet as he sits one goal away from a landmark 50 for his country.
After the debacle last time out, the Netherlands are likely to start the game with some nerves, but should be able to see off Latvia's challenge to secure all three points without too many problems.
Expect the Dutch to win with reasonable comfort, but watch out for Latvia's counter-attacking threat.
