EURO 2024 Betting Tips & Odds: Holland on the Run Back to their Glory Days

As Euro 2024 draws closer, various teams have been preparing for Europe's most prestigious competition. The Dutch national team isn’t exempted from the preparations, as Ronald Koeman and his men hope to break the jinx and return to their glory days. 

The Netherlands national team were flawless in Euro 2020, winning all three games in Group C. During the last edition, the group comprised Austria, Ukraine, and North Macedonia. The Flying Dutchmen were later eliminated in the round of 16 by the Czech Republic after Matthijs de Ligt received a red card in the 55th minute of the game. The exceptional performance wasn’t limited to the European scene. They were first in Group A of the 2022 World Cup before being dumped out in the quarterfinals by the eventual winners, Argentina, 4-2 on penalties after Wout Weghorst’s magic had made the game end 2-2.

The only shocking absence from the initial squad after the squad's announcement was the young Borussia Dortmund loanee left-back Ian Maatsen. He was exceptional last season and played a great role in taking Dortmund to the Champions League final. Nonetheless, Koeman seems to have a better replacement for the wunderkind, with Nathan Ake, Daley Blind, Lutsharel Geertruida and Micky van de Ven all cool to play the left-back position, and Jeremie Frimpong and Denzel Dumfries likely competing for a spot at right-back. But later in the preparatory phase of the team, Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners were excused from the Holland squad after they suffered injuries. The two superstars made it to the final 26-man squad without wunderkind Ian Maatsen. However, Ian Maatsen got a late call-up into the team to replace injured Frenkie de Jong, and Teun Koopmeiners' replacement is yet to be announced.

Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Mark Fleken (Brentford, England), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion, England)

Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City, England), Daley Blind (Girona FC, Spain), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan, Italy), Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan, Italy), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich, Germany), Jeremy Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, England), Ian Maatsen(Borussia Dortmund, Germany)

Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool, England), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan, Italy), Jerdy Schouten (PSV Eindhoven), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig, Germany), Joey Veerman (PSV Eindhoven), Georginio Wijnaldum (Al Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia)

Forwards: Steven Bergwijn (Ajax Amsterdam), Brian Brobbey (Ajax Amsterdam), Memphis Depay (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool, England), Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Wout Weghorst (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany). 

Ronald Koeman has been impressive in his revival phase of returning Dutch football to its glory days. Koeman won UEFA Euro 1988 for his side as a player, and he is perhaps the best-attacking centre-back of all time. He ended his career with 192 league goals from 533 matches, and no other defenders come close in football history. As a manager, Koeman joined the Netherlands national team on a four-and-a-half-year contract on February 6, 2018. He took over from Dick Advocaat, who resigned his position after failing to lead Holland to the 2018 FIFA World Cup. However, Koeman led the Clockwork Orange to the final of the 2018/19 UEFA Nations League, losing 1–0 to Portugal. He also got the Euro 2020 tickets after the team missed the 2016 Euro and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He then left his role to join Barcelona before returning in June 2022. 

In their preparation for Euro 2024, Holland will play against Canada and Iceland on the 6th and 10th of June, respectively. They will play their first game of the Euro 2024 against Poland before taking France 5 days later and then Austria on the 25th of June. 

Holland have a rich history playing against Poland. In fact, they have not lost to the Eagles since 1979. Additionally, they have not lost to Poland in the Euro finals. The last game between the two sides ended 2-0 in favour of the Netherlands. So, it is an easy 3 points for them in their Euro 2024 opener. However, taking on France could be more difficult for Holland, as they have been able to record just one win over Les Bleus in their last eight meetings. The France national team, perhaps one of the tournament's favourites, will be a hard nut to crack for this reviving Holland side. However, their defensive strength, led by Virgil van Dijk, could at least salvage a point for them and confirm their place in the next round. 

On the other hand, Austria aren’t a new face to the Netherlands. They met in the last edition and were defeated 2-0 in round 2. Holland went ahead in the competition to record a maximum of 9 points, and Austria came second with 6 points. Moreover, Holland have defeated Austria in their last six meetings. So, 7 points in the group is enough for the Netherlands to advance to the next round, and they could end up topping the group if other results work well for them. 

Despite facing a huge setback years ago, the Netherlands now have a squad that can challenge for trophies. They have exceptional defenders at the back, with Dalen Blind's incredible form with Girona and evergreen Virgil van Dijk's greatness. They have historical records against Poland and Austria, so they should have those six free points in their pocket. Not only that, but they should also advance to the quarterfinals of this competition with ease. 

• Over 4.5 Points — 1.96 odds
• Holland to reach quarter-finals — 2.37 odds
• Holland to reach UEFA EURO Top 8 — 2.35 odds