Euro 2020 round of 16: Netherlands vs. Czech Republic preview, predictions and team news
Frank de Boer’s Dutch side will look to continue their impressive run
Going into Euro 2020 the level of expectation around Frank de Boer’s Netherlands side was “unusually low”, says 90min’s Harry Symeou. However, the free-scoring Oranje cruised through the group stage and were just one of three teams to take maximum points.
Marching into the round of 16 the Dutch have impressed after coming under scrutiny, says the Daily Mail’s Adrian Kajumba. Fans are starting to believe and De Boer’s players are “embracing the growing hopes that they could win the Euros”.
“What we need to do is believe in what we are trying to achieve,” said De Boer. “Let’s hope that it will stay like this so it means we are achieving good results or getting further in the tournament.”
The Czech Republic will need Patrik Schick and Co to be “firing on all cylinders” at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on Sunday, says Ben Knapton of SportsMole. The Czechs finished third behind England and Croatia in group D with Schick scoring three times.
The winners of this last-16 encounter will face Denmark in the quarter-finals in Baku on 3 July.
Kick-off time and TV details
The round of 16 clash between the Netherlands and the Czech Republic takes place on Sunday 27 June at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. Kick-off is at 5pm (BST) and the match is live on ITV and ITV Hub.
Netherlands team news
Dutch striker Luuk de Jong is out of Euro 2020 with a knee injury suffered in training. After his “sparkling display” against North Macedonia, Donyell Malen should get “the nod” to partner Memphis Depay up front, says Uefa.com’s Netherlands reporter Derek Brookman.
Netherlands possible starting XI: Stekelenburg; Dumfries, De Ligt, De Vrij, Blind, Van Aanholt; De Jong, De Roon, Wijnaldum; Depay, Malen
Czech Republic team news
Jaroslav Šilhavý will be forced to change his starting XI due to the suspension of left-back Jan Bořil. Pavel Kadeřábek, Aleš Matějů and Michal Sadílek are possible alternatives. Ondřej Zlámal, Uefa.com’s Czech Republic reporter, says forward Patrik Schick “will need more support, too, meaning the coach may alter his tactics or opt for a new face in midfield”.
Czech Republic possible starting XI: Vaclík; Coufal, Čelůstka, Kalas, Kadeřábek; Souček, Holeš; Masopust, Darida, Jankto; Schick
Pundit predictions: who will win?
Harry Symeou, 90min: “The Dutch have played free-flowing attacking football so far, whereas their opponents have shown themselves to be a little more pragmatic in their approach. You can expect De Boer’s side to have most of the ball and they’re bound to create chances. They’ll have to be aware of the Czech Republic's threat on the counter-attack, in particular that posed by the clinical Schick. Netherlands should have too much for their opponents but they’ll need to be wary of a dangerous opponent. Prediction: Netherlands 2-0 Czech Republic.”
Mike Tuckerman, The Roar: “I didn’t rate the Netherlands going into the tournament and they go and win three games from three. They tend to win games in spite of manager Frank de Boer, not because of him, but should have enough all-round class to progress against the Czechs.”
Ben Knapton, SportsMole: “There would be no better time for the Czech Republic to record a third successive victory over the Netherlands, and they ought to be spurred on by the chance to emulate the 2004 luminaries. However, De Boer’s Oranje have quality in abundance in all areas of the pitch and firmly laid down a marker with their group-stage performances, so we can only back the Netherlands to safely advance to the last eight. Prediction: Netherlands 2-0 Czech Republic.”
Steve Luckings, The National: “Memphis Depay has shown why Barcelona were so keen to acquire him leading the front line with distinction while Georgio Wijnaldum has gone about captaining the side with quiet authority. The loss of Luuk de Jong to injury should not cause too much disruption. The Czechs started their tournament with a bang against Scotland including that goal from Patrick Schick but looked flat in a draw to Croatia and defeat to England. They will need to be at their best to stifle the Oranje. Prediction: Netherlands go marching on.”
