Netherlands v Germany: Preview and possible line-ups

TEAM NEWS

Netherlands

Manager Ronald Koeman named an extremely strong starting line-up for his side's opening Euro qualifier against Belarus on Thursday, and so could make a couple of changes for this one. Hans Hateboer of MLS side Atlanta United could come into a back-line already consisting of Virgil Van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt. 

Changes could be made at right-back too, with Denzel Demfries and Kenny Tete now both injured. Jasper Cillessen should start in goal while Memphis Depay and Ryan Babel look set to start in attack. Barcelona-bound playmaker Frenkie de Jong should play too, slotting into an attacking midfield role.

Germany

It's been all change in the German national side of late, and this trend looks set to continue for this encounter. Timo Werner struggled to take his chance up front in their previous game against Serbia, and so is likely to lose his place up top to Marco Reus.

Antonio Rudiger, who did not feature at all last time out, will be pushing for a place in the starting XI, as will Real Madrid star Toni Kroos. Manager Joachim Low will probably opt for Manuel Neuer again in goal, but such a decision is no longer a certainty thanks to the form of back-up goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. 

MANAGERS' THOUGHTS

Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman on the differences and similarities between the two sides:

"If you compare the two squads, it's more clear on our side. Our players look more confident, sometimes a bit too arrogant against Belarus. But we do realise that we have to be at our best because Germany has really good players that can make our lives miserable."

"Of course, there's some parallels. They're rejuvenating, they've tried different formations like I did. I too started with five defenders, but we switched to a different system, which we will keep for now."

Germany manager Joachim Low on his starting line-up and the fixture's gravitas: 

"I can confirm that Manuel Neuer and Toni Kross will both start the game."

"There's always a special atmosphere in this fixture. We want to have a successful qualifying campaign and obviously results are key to that, but we're also after a continuous development within the team."

FORM GUIDE

The match takes place on the third anniversary of Johan Cruyff's death. 

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS: 

Netherlands: Cillessen; Hateboer, Van Dijk, De Ligt, Blind; De Roon, De Jong, Wijnaldum; Bergwijn, Depay, Babel.

Germany: Neuer; Rudiger, Sule, Ginter; Klostermann, Kimmich, Kroos, Halstenberg; Gnabry, Reus, Sane.