Greek media see the Oranje as big favourite in Nations League duel

On Friday evening the Dutch national team is seen by various Greek media as the big favourite in the Nations League. Both countries share the top spot in the group table with eight points. The chances of the Oranje are assessed as higher than those of Greece. The Greeks travel to Amsterdam with several key absentees.

Chances and historical context

devotes Wednesday attention to the odds calculation by Football Meets Data. The Greek sports site reports that Xavi's team is the big favourite for victory with 61 percent. The chance of a Greek win is estimated at eighteen percent. A draw has a chance of twenty‑one percent.

SDNA emphasizes the favourite role of the Netherlands and states that the Oranje has the best paperwork. The Greek sports site sees sufficient perspective for national coach Ivan Jovanović. Greece still has a three‑point lead over Germany. Sport FM points to the head‑to‑head history and concludes that history speaks in favour of the Oranje.

Greece's shaky midfield gives the Oranje a headache in Amsterdam

The Netherlands has won nine of the twelve previous meetings, while Greece has only won once. That Greek victory came in September 2016 in a friendly match 1‑2. The most recent meeting ended last month in Thessaloniki 2‑2.

National coach Xavi Hernández said that the first half against Greece showed no courage, but the second half was better. He added that it is his job to give players confidence so they can play freely. Greece must play on Friday without Christos Zafeiris and Manolis Saliakas, both suspended after yellow cards against Germany.

Giannis Konstantelias is also missing due to injury and Dimitris Kourbelis is battling ankle problems. The Netherlands also miss Virgil van Dijk and Brian Brobbey because of physical complaints, a huge setback for the Oranje.