Netherlands vs Croatia: UEFA Nations League Semi-final team news and prediction

League A of the UEFA Nations League - remember that!? - comes to a head this week as Netherlands, Croatia, Spain and Italy compete to secure international glory. 

Ahead of Netherlands' meeting with Croatia, we provide the necessary pre-match information, including where to watch this semi-final, team news and probable XIs.  

When is kick off?      

Wednesday 10th June, 19:45 KO (GMT)  

Where is the match?        

De Kuip, Rotterdam (Netherlands) 

What TV channel is it on?      

Viaplay Sports 1 

Route to the semi-final 

Netherlands eased to top spot on Group 4 having picked up 16 points from 18 available, with Poland the only side to take points off the Oranje. The memorable win was a 4-1 triumph over Belgium at he King Baudouin Stadium last June, with Louis van Gaal masterminding a famous victory over the Red Devils. Netherlands have endured a mixed start to Euro 2024 qualifying, following up their 4-0 mauling at the hands of France with a 3-0 win over Gibraltar following Ronald Koeman's return to the helm. 

After failing to win their opening two Group 1 games, losing to Austria and drawing with France, Croatia recovered to win their following four games to beat Denmark, Les Bleus and the Burschen to top spot. A 1-0 win in France last June was the standout performance from the Vatreni, while the also did the double over the Danish Dynamite. In Euro 2024 qualification, Croatia have picked up four points from their two games as they were held by Wales before they beat Turkiye. 

Team news 

Memphis Depay missed out on a spot in the Netherlands squad, with a calf problem sidelining the Atletico Madrid forward. Memphis scored three goals in the Oranje's successful progression to the Nations League knockout stages, so his absence is a blow. Centre-back Matthijs de Ligt was forced to pull out of the Netherlands squad due to injury, with Bayern teammate Daley Blind called up to replace the centre-back. That presents Sven Botman with the chance to earn his first cap for Ronald Koeman's side. 

In the Croatia camp, RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol is absent owing to a groin problem, and they'll miss the Manchester City target at the back. Otherwise, Croatia have a fully fit squad to select from here. 

Probable XIs 

Netherlands (433) - Bijlow; Dumfries, Van Dijk, Botman, Ake; De Roon, Wijnaldum, De Jong; Simons, Gakpo, Bergwijn

Croatia (433) - Livakovic; Juranovic, Sutalo, Erlic, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic

Key Battle: Frenkie de Jong vs Luka Modric

Frenkie de Jong was the key driving force behind Barcelona's title triumph last term, returning a WhoScored rating of 7.15 to feature in the La Liga team of the season. With Georginio Wijnaldum and Marten de Roon on hand to carry out the defensive duties in the middle of the park, this allows De Jong the opportunity to get forward and support the attack, which given his quality in tight spaces, will help present chances for the Dutch frontline.

At 37 years of age, Luka Modric's career is starting to wind down, and that is evident in that 14 of his 33 league outings last season came from the bench. Nevertheless, Modric's best trait has so often been to drive his side forward from midfield, and the ease with which he can glide past an opponent means he can shake off pressure to open up angles for Croatia in the final third.

Score Prediction: Netherlands 1-0 Croatia