The Netherlands will aim to make it two wins out of two this week when they welcome Finland on Sunday night.

The Netherlands will look to move one step closer to securing top spot in Group G when they host Finland at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Sunday evening. Ronald Koeman’s men have regained control of their qualifying campaign, and another victory here could effectively seal their passage to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

After an unsteady September window, the Oranje returned to their assertive best in midweek, brushing aside Malta in a composed 4-0 win. Cody Gakpo was the standout performer, netting twice from the penalty spot and setting up Tijjani Reijnders for the third, reaffirming his role as Koeman’s attacking lynchpin. The victory not only avenged their earlier frustrations but also stretched the Netherlands’ lead at the top of the group to three points ahead of Poland.

While not at their most flamboyant, the Dutch displayed the composure and control expected of a top-tier side. The match also marked a return to structural balance, as Frenkie de Jong’s distribution from midfield and Virgil van Dijk’s leadership at the back ensured Malta never threatened to cause an upset. Koeman will now want his team to maintain that same focus against a Finnish side that, despite being disciplined and industrious, lacks the individual quality to consistently trouble elite opposition.

For Finland, the clash with the Netherlands is a do-or-die contest. The Eagle-Owls have battled gamely under new boss Jacob Friis, but their campaign has faltered at critical junctures. Their 3-1 defeat to Poland last month was particularly costly, allowing the Poles to overtake them in the race for second place. Though they managed to edge past Lithuania 2-1 on Thursday courtesy of goals from Benjamin Kallman and Adam Markhiyev, the Finns still sit three points adrift and have played a game more than both Poland and the Netherlands.

Finland’s defensive structure remains their strength, with Leo Vaisanen and Robert Ivanov forming a solid partnership, but their lack of attacking depth continues to be a concern. The absence of a clinical finisher has often left them struggling to convert chances against stronger opposition, a problem likely to be magnified against a Dutch side that thrives on possession and pressing.

The Netherlands, meanwhile, are unbeaten in this qualifying cycle ahead of the clash with Finland, boasting the group’s best attack (scoring 19 goals) and the tightest defence (conceding just four). With Gakpo, Xavi Simons, and Donyell Malen all in sharp form, and Tijjani Reijnders emerging as a creative force in midfield, Koeman’s men have the tools to dismantle Finland’s resistance once more.

If recent history is anything to go by, with the Dutch winning each of their last five meetings with the Finns,  another victory for the hosts seems inevitable. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.

Team News & Tactics

Netherlands

The Netherlands head into this fixture with few injury concerns and a nearly full-strength squad at Ronald Koeman’s disposal. The main uncertainty revolves around Memphis Depay, who joined the training camp later than expected and was deemed not fully fit for the Malta clash.

As a result, Wout Weghorst started that game, but Depay’s return to full fitness should see him reclaim his place as the focal point of the Dutch attack. The experienced forward continues to be instrumental for the Oranje, having now been directly involved in eight goals during this qualifying campaign.

Koeman has already made several high-profile omissions from this month’s squad. Matthijs de Ligt, Teun Koopmeiners, Sem Steijn, and Noa Lang were all left out, while AZ Alkmaar striker Mexx Meerdink, who was called up as attacking cover, had to withdraw through injury. There are no suspensions to worry about, giving the Dutch coach freedom to rotate where necessary.

In attack, Koeman could deploy Memphis Depay through the middle, flanked by Jeremie Frimpong on the right and Cody Gakpo on the left. Frimpong’s direct pace and overlapping movement will provide width, while Gakpo’s tendency to cut inside and link up with Depay should give the front line plenty of fluidity.

The midfield trio of Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch, and Tijjani Reijnders is expected to start again, offering balance between creativity and defensive cover. De Jong will act as the deep-lying playmaker, controlling tempo and distribution, while Gravenberch adds verticality and Reijnders provides attacking thrust from midfield.

At the back, Virgil van Dijk and Jan Paul van Hecke will form the central defensive partnership, providing aerial dominance and composure in possession. Denzel Dumfries will operate as the right-back, tasked with overlapping runs and delivering crosses, while Micky van de Ven will bring defensive solidity and left-footed balance on the opposite flank. Between the posts, Bart Verbruggen retains his place after another composed performance against Malta, offering reliability and quick reflexes.

This 4-3-3 structure allows the Netherlands to dominate possession, stretch the play through their full-backs, and maintain control in midfield transitions, something Koeman has emphasised heavily throughout the qualifying campaign.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Verbruggen; Dumfries, van Hecke, van Dijk, van de Ven; Gravenberch, de Jong, Reijnders; Frimpong, Depay, Gakpo

Finland

Finland’s preparations for this crucial qualifier have been disrupted by a mix of injuries and suspensions to key players. The visitors will be without one of their most important defensive figures, Robert Ivanov, who received his third yellow card of the campaign in the win over Lithuania and is therefore suspended for this fixture. His absence leaves a significant gap in central defence, as Ivanov has been a mainstay in Finland’s backline throughout qualifying.

Adding to the team’s woes, captain Lukas Hradecky, the AS Monaco goalkeeper, has been ruled out with a calf injury, denying the side both leadership and experience between the posts. Veteran midfielder Rasmus Schuller, another key presence in the middle of the park, is also sidelined due to a lingering thigh issue, further weakening the team’s core.

In Hradecky’s absence, head coach Jacob Friis must choose between Viljami Sinisalo of Celtic FC and Jesse Joronen of Palermo to start in goal. Given his club form and familiarity with several teammates, Joronen is likely to get the nod. Up front, his clubmate Joel Pohjanpalo, one of Finland’s most reliable scorers, is set to lead the attack, providing both physicality and aerial presence.

Finland are expected to adopt a 4-3-3 formation, a setup designed to stay compact defensively while allowing quick transitions through the wide areas. Nikolai Alho and Jere Uronen will occupy the full-back roles, offering width in attack while maintaining discipline at the back. At the heart of the defence, Miro Tenho and Ville Koski will form the partnership tasked with containing the movement of Memphis Depay and Cody Gakpo.

In midfield, Robin Lod will take on a deeper creative role alongside Kaan Kairinen and the emerging Adam Markhiev, who scored in the recent victory over Lithuania. The front three will likely feature Benjamin Kallman on the right wing, Joel Pohjanpalo as the central striker, and Oliver Antman operating from the left, each capable of stretching the Netherlands’ backline with pace and pressing energy.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Joronen; Alho, Tenho, Koski, Uronen; Lod, Kairinen, Markhiev; Kallman, Pohjanpalo, Antman

Key Stats

• The Netherlands have won each of their last five World Cup qualifying encounters with Finland, scoring a total of 15 goals and conceding only three during that span. Finland have not defeated the Dutch in any competition since November 1912, over a century ago.

• Playing at home, the Oranje have been nearly unbeatable in qualifying matches, they are unbeaten in their last 16 World Cup qualifiers at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, winning 13 and drawing 3, with 11 clean sheets in that stretch.

• Under Ronald Koeman, the Netherlands have averaged 2.7 goals per game in this qualification campaign, netting 19 times in just seven matches, the highest attacking output in Group G.

• The Dutch defence, led by Virgil van Dijk, has conceded only four goals in the qualifiers so far, the fewest in the group. In contrast, Finland have conceded nine goals in their seven matches, with four of those coming in the reverse fixture in Helsinki.

• Finland have failed to win any of their last seven away games in World Cup qualifying, losing five of them and scoring only three goals in that run. Their last away victory in a World Cup qualifier came in 2021, against Kazakhstan.

Player to Watch

Ryan Gravenberch

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All eyes will be on Ryan Gravenberch, the dynamic midfielder who has quickly become a vital cog in Ronald Koeman’s evolving Dutch setup. The Liverpool star brings a rare blend of physical presence, technical precision, and attacking flair that makes him one of the most complete young midfielders in Europe today.

Gravenberch’s ability to dictate the tempo of the game while driving forward with the ball gives the Netherlands a valuable edge in transition. His composure under pressure and eye for progressive passes often unlock tight defences, an attribute that could prove crucial against a compact Finnish side likely to sit deep and defend in numbers.

What sets Gravenberch apart is his knack for arriving late in the box, creating overloads in attack. His performance in the last fixture against Malta, where he controlled midfield dominance with ease and contributed to the team’s third goal, highlighted his growing maturity and tactical discipline.

Against Finland, Koeman will count on Gravenberch to bridge defence and attack, recycle possession efficiently, and exploit gaps between the lines. If he continues his current form, the 23-year-old could once again be the heartbeat of the Oranje’s midfield and a decisive factor in maintaining their march toward World Cup qualification.

Prediction

Netherlands 3-0 Finland

The Netherlands enter this clash as overwhelming favourites, brimming with confidence after their commanding win over Malta. Ronald Koeman’s men have found a strong rhythm, combining defensive stability with attacking depth led by Cody Gakpo, Memphis Depay, and Ryan Gravenberch in midfield control. Playing at home, where they rarely falter in competitive fixtures, the Oranje are expected to dictate proceedings from start to finish.

Finland, meanwhile, have struggled away from home throughout this qualifying cycle and arrive without several key figures, including captain Lukas Hradecky and defender Robert Ivanov. While their organisation and counter-attacking potential could trouble the Dutch momentarily, the gulf in technical quality and experience between the two sides is likely to show as the game progresses.

Expect the hosts to dominate possession, create multiple scoring opportunities, and extend their perfect home record in Group G with another statement victory. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for Koeman and his charges.