Netherlands vs. Belgium: Date, Time, TV Info and Live Stream for Friendly

Belgium and the Netherlands will resume their rivalry on Wednesday in an international friendly, as the two nations will play out the 126th Low Countries derby, the first since 2012.

The Netherlands have historically dominated the derby but haven't beaten Belgium since 1997, and for the first time in years, the Red Devils enter the match as favourites.

With both teams looking to experiment with more 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, don't expect the latest Low Countries derby to be as feisty as past editions.

Date: Wednesday, November 9

Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT/2:45 p.m. ET

Venue: Amsterdam ArenA, Netherlands

TV Info: beIN Sports USA (U.S.)

Live Stream: BeIN Sports Connect, fubo.tv

Preview

VI-Images/Getty Images

Per FIFA's official website, Wednesday's fixture will be the 126th edition of the Low Countries derby, with the Netherlands holding the historical advantage with 55 wins, 41 losses and 29 draws.

For decades, the Belgians looked up to their Dutch neighbours, who were at the top of European football and always among the favourites to win silverware. Things have changed in recent years, however.

The Red Devils cruised to a 4-2 win the last time these two teams met in 2012, and the win signified something of a turning point for Belgian football. Here's a look at the highlights from that match:

Since then, Belgium have climbed to the top of the FIFA world rankings―they currently sit in fourth―while the Netherlands have dropped all the way to 20. Oranje didn't even qualify for UEFA Euro 2016, while Belgium made the quarter-finals of that tournament.

VI-Images/Getty Images

In qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, the Netherlands sit third in Group A, three points behind France and Sweden. Belgium are perfect in Group H, scoring 13 goals in three matches and not conceding once.

Dutch head coach Danny Blind picked a strong squad to face Belgium and Luxembourg in a qualifier, but an avalanche of injuries has wreaked havoc on the squad, as shared by Football-Oranje.com:

"

Netherlands squad dropping like flies. Davy Propper and Rick Karsdorp now pulling out. Joshua Brenet in.

— Football-Oranje.com (@football_oranje) November 7, 2016"

Terence Kongolo has also pulled out, in yet another blow for Oranje. With that many key players absent, Blind can't afford to take too many risks on Wednesday, as the qualifier against Luxembourg is much more important.

Belgium don't have as many issues with injuries―in fact, manager Roberto Martinez can afford to leave out the likes of Radja Nainggolan, giving him more time to get back to his best and battle for his spot.

Het Nieuwsblad's Vince Van Genechten shared this quote from Martinez, emphasising just how large Belgium's squad has become:

Other key players who haven't been called up due to injury or otherwise include Toby Alderweireld, Jordan Lukaku, Thomas Vermaelen and Nicholas Lombaerts. In-form Anderlecht youngster Youri Tielemans did make the squad, as did Thorgan Hazard of Borussia Monchengladbach.

The Netherlands will rely on a mix of older and younger players, with Jeremain Lens deserving a special mention. The Fenerbahce man has been spectacular of late in Turkey, and he's expected to carry that form into Wednesday's match.

With both teams featuring in World Cup qualifiers later in the week, expect to see a lot of changes and a slow tempo. Belgium have the deeper squad and more in-form top players like Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Yannick Carrasco, but there's a good chance they won't play as much, with an eye on the match against Estonia.