Netherlands
The Netherlands performed well a couple of years ago as they reached the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2024 and the Oranje will expect to go deep in North America this summer but question marks remain over Ronald Koeman and that is especially the case after their opening game against Japan at Dallas Stadium last week.
The Dutch took a second-half lead via a Virgil van Dijk header against the Japanese before Japan pegged them back, which they did again after Crysencio Summerville had re-established the Europeans’ lead. The Dutch were accused of being overly cautious at the end of that game as they sought to protect an opening-game three points.
Injuries & Team News
Crysencio Summerville was a surprise inclusion in the Netherlands’ starting eleven against the Japanese and the West Ham United attacker has secured his spot with a goal, but finding a formula up front remains something on the to-do list for Koeman.
The defence, with Micky van de Ven marauding down the flank at left-back, appears well set after the withdrawal of Jurrien Timber and the midfield appears to pick itself, too. Donyell Malen finished the season well but struggled to find that form alongside Cody Gakpo, although Koeman may well go with the same side for this one to try and build some cohesion in attack.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 2-2 vs Japan | W W D L W D |
Predicted Line-Up
Netherlands (4-3-3):
Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Hecke, Van Dijk, Van de Ven; Gravenberch, De Jong, Reijnders; Summerville, Malen, Gakpo
Sweden
Sweden failed to win a game in their UEFA qualifying group stage game in the autumn of 2025 but, as a result of their 2024-25 UEFA Nations League campaign, they earned themselves a play-off berth and, following the appointment of Graham Potter, they took advantage of that and began their summer with a bang last week.
The excellent striking partnership of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres shone through with both big-money strikers scoring for the Swedes, along with a Mattias Svanberg strike and a Yasin Ayari brace as they demolished the Tunisians by five goals to one in Monterrey, leading to the sacking of Sabri Lamouchi of Tunisia, such was the dominance shown by Sweden.
Injuries & Team News
The back-three system that Graham Potter has worked on with Sweden thrived against the Tunisians and should be even more preferable here, capable of hitting on the counter-attack with speed and efficiency.
The strength in depth of the Swedish squad is also something worth noting with Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lucas Bergvall coming off the bench alongside the likes of Daniel Svensson, Anthony Elanga and Mattias Svanberg.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 5-1 vs Tunisia | D W W L D W |
Predicted Line-Up
Sweden (3-5-2):
Nordfeldt; Lagerbielke, Hien, Lindelof; Bernhardsson, Ayari, Karlstrom, Gudmundsson; Nygren; Isak, Gyokeres
Betting Odds
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands Win | 3/4 (1.75) | Grand Ivy |
| Draw | 31/10 (4.10) | Dream Vegas |
| Sweden Win | 4/1 (5.00) | 247Bet |
Prediction
Netherlands 1-2 Sweden
Both of these teams are full of attacking quality so its hard to see how we won’t see an entertaining game here. At the same time both look vulnerable at the back so i think both teams will score and i’m gonna go for a surprise Sweden win.
The Dutch have plenty of variety across their squad and especially in attack but they perhaps lack a leading light in terms of quality in the final third. That said, they, as they were against a strong Japan side, remain a threat and this should be quite a fun watch for the neutral as the Swedes seek to maintain their impressive counter-attacking and pressing game in Texas.