Spain visits Netherlands for the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarterfinal on Thursday at the De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam.
The Dutch finished second behind Germany in League A Group 3 with nine points, while the Spanish finished top of League A Group 4 with 16 points.
While Spain is the defending Nations League champion, Netherlands’ best finish came in the inaugural edition of the tournament when it ended as the runner-up after losing to Portugal in the summit clash.
The Luis de la Fuente-coached side’s sparkling group stage run in this tournament came after it clinched the European Championship in July last year.
This is the first time both sides will be facing each other in the Nations League and for the first time since 2020 when they played an International Friendly.
NETHERLANDS VS SPAIN PREDICTED XI
Netherlands: Bart Verbruggen (gk), Mathijs de Ligt, Jeremie Frimpong, Virgil van Dijk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch, Teun Koopmeiners, Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, Xavi Simmons
Spain: Unai Simon (gk), Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Raul Asencio, Marc Cucurella, Fabian Ruiz, Mikel Merino, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Alvaro Morata
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com