Greece welcome the Netherlands to Thessaloniki after making an excellent start to their Nations League campaign. The hosts have won both of their matches, while the Netherlands remain unbeaten after collecting four points.

Greece have started with two away victories

Greece opened their campaign with a 2–1 win against Serbia in Belgrade. They then produced an even more impressive result by beating Germany 1–0 away from home.

Dimitris Kourbelis scored the winner in Germany, but the victory was built on a strong defensive performance. Greece allowed Germany to have plenty of possession without giving away many clear chances.

Those two results have left Greece top of the group with six points. They now return home with confidence and have an opportunity to take control of the group.

Greece have become a more dangerous attacking team in recent years. Vangelis Pavlidis, Christos Tzolis and Konstantinos Karetsas give them pace and creativity, while they also carry a threat from set pieces.

The hosts are unlikely to dominate possession against the Netherlands, but they can attack quickly whenever the visitors lose the ball.

Netherlands remain unbeaten

The Netherlands began with a 1–1 draw against Germany before winning 2–1 away to Serbia.

Mexx Meerdink scored both goals in Belgrade and could be given another opportunity in attack. The young forward has made an immediate impact at international level and gives the Netherlands a different option through the middle.

Cody Gakpo will miss the match after suffering an ankle injury against Serbia. His absence removes one of the Netherlands’ most reliable attacking players, but Xavi Hernández still has several good options available.

Crysencio Summerville, Ruben van Bommel, Noa Lang and Joshua Zirkzee are all capable of causing problems. The visitors also have plenty of quality in midfield, where Tijjani Reijnders and Ryan Gravenberch can help them control the game.

Both teams can create chances

The Netherlands are favourites, but backing them to win at 2.08 looks risky. Greece have already beaten Serbia and Germany away from home, and they should be even more difficult to face at Toumba Stadium.

Greece or Draw is an interesting option, but the goals market may offer a better route into the match.

The Netherlands have scored and conceded in both of their Nations League games. Greece kept a clean sheet against Germany, but Serbia still managed to score against them in the opening match.

The hosts will not need to sit deep from the beginning. They are top of the group and have enough attacking quality to test a Dutch defence that has conceded in both matches.

An early goal would change the game completely. The team falling behind would have to attack, creating more space at both ends of the pitch.

Verdict

Greece deserve respect after winning their opening two matches, while the Netherlands have enough attacking quality to make this a difficult test for the hosts.

Both teams should have periods where they are on top, and the match could become open if either side scores early. Three goals look achievable in Thessaloniki.

Tip

Over 2.5 goals