Preview Line Up Formation Netherlands vs Slovakia Predictions
The Dutch were knocked out of the 2006 World Cup at this stage, when they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Portugal in the infamous ‘Battle of Nuremberg’.The Netherlands have won their last three World Cup games, the only time they have bettered this was in 1974 when they reached the final (four wins in a row).Having failed to score in nine games during qualifying for the World Cup, Robert Vittek has hit three in three games at the actual finals tournament.The Dutch have not won back to back games against European sides at the World Cup since 1974 when they beat Bulgaria and East Germany (they beat Denmark this year).
The Netherlands have won their last seven international fixtures and are unbeaten in 22 games.Slovakia, on the other hand, have won just two of their last seven international games.The Netherlands have never faced Slovakia, but they did meet Czechoslovakia on 10 occasions, suffering six defeats.Both of these sides have only scored one first half goal at this World Cup so far.Klass Jan Huntelaar has netted two goals in just three appearances at international tournaments.The former Czechoslovakia are one of only five teams who have managed to score three goals in a World Cup encounter against the Netherlands (3-0 in 1938).
