Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker:
With plenty of pressure on their shoulders on Tuesday evening, the Netherlands will travel to Munich when they meet Romania for their Round of 16 showdown.
Romania
Starting with Romania, only continuing on what has been a history-making summer over in Germany, the Tricolours find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Booking a maiden knockout stage ticket and remarkably finishing at the top of Group E ahead of European giants Belgium, Edward Iordabescu’s men have embarked on an iconic fairytale. However, signing off their Group E campaign with a 1-1 stalemate against Slovakia last week, the Yellows will be more than aware that they face a huge leap up in class on Tuesday evening. Signing off their EURO 24 preparations with a lacklustre 0-0 stalemate at home against Liechtenstein on June 7th, Romania have collected just a single victory from any of their seven appearances this calendar year.
Team News
Shown what was a costly first-half booking against Slovakia last week, 31-year-old defender Nicusor Bancu will serve a one-match suspension on Tuesday evening. Remarkably notching two goals in his three Group E appearances this summer, Empoli midfielder Razvan Marin will have a leading role to play in the middle of the park.
Opening his EURO 24 account with a strike against Ukraine on June 17th, Gaziantep striker Denis Dragus will spearhead Romania’s charge in Munich. Making the move to Premier League giants Tottenham during the January transfer window, Radu Dragusin will earn a 21st international cap here.
Netherlands
As for the Netherlands, although Holland might have opened up their EURO 24 adventure with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Poland on June 16th, Ronald Koeman’s men have struggled to find any real stability. Signing off their Group D campaign with an action-packed 3-2 defeat at the hands of Austria, the former Barcelona boss has faced some mounting pressure. Although the European icons might have opened up this summer’s tournament in the midst of a real flurry, they could only muster a single victory from any of their three Group D appearances. Nevertheless, handed what appears to be a golden opportunity on Tuesday evening, the Netherlands will be excited by a stellar record against their Round of 16 foes. Including a 3-0 win when they last met Romania back in November 2017, they have won all of their previous four battles by an aggregate score of 13-1.
Team News
Shockingly forced to settle for a spot on the bench during their 3-2 defeat against Austria last week, PSG star Xavi Simons could be handed an immediate recall and replace Donyell Malen in the final third. Making a first EURO 24 start in Berlin, PSV youngster Lutsharel Geertuida could keep his spot at right-back.
Bagging a consolation strike against Austria last week and recording two goals in his three Group D appearances this summer, Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo will once again play a leading role here. While Atletico Madrid ace Memphis Depay might have recorded just a single goal over in Germany over the past fortnight, the 30-year-old will earn a 96th international cap in midweek.
Key Factors to Consider
