Wales vs Netherlands predictions: Dutch too hot for Dragons to handle

On the back of reaching their first World Cup in 64 years, Wales now focus their attention on a Nations League clash with the Netherlands tonight. 

The Oranje are one of the form sides in Europe and will provide the Welsh with an acid test ahead of the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

Team news

Wales managed to come through their World Cup play-off win over Ukraine without any injuries as they prepare to welcome the Dutch to the Cardiff City Stadium. 

Boss Rob Page will have a decision to make between the sticks on whether to rest Wayne Hennessey and allow Danny Ward a chance to impress. 

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest's Brennan Johnson, who starred off the bench against Ukraine, will be pushing for a start along with the likes of Joe Morrell, Jonny Williams and Harry Wilson. 

As for the Netherlands, they also managed to come through their impressive 4-1 demolition job in Belgium unscathed. 

Manager Louis van Gaal might well be tempted to make changes for the trip to the Welsh capital in a bid to give fringe players a chance to impress ahead of the World Cup in Qatar. 

Stefan de Vrij, Matthijs de Ligt and Tyrell Malacia are among those pushing to feature.

The stats

The head-to-head stats do not make pretty reading for the Welsh having lost all of the eight previous meetings with the Dutch, with an aggregate scoreline of 24-5. 

With just one defeat in their last 18 games, the Oranje are currently one of the form teams in Europe, and go into the clash on the back of the thrashing of the world's second best side, according to the FIFA rankings.

One clean sheet in their last six outings means Wales have been vulnerable at the back and even a much-changed Netherlands side will fancy their chances of picking up a win in this encounter. 

Predictions

It is hard to look past Van Gaal's side picking up all three points, especially considering the way they took apart fellow World Cup hopefuls Belgium. 

Wales lacked a cutting edge in their game against the Ukrainians, with Andriy Yarmolenko's own goal seeing them through to a first World Cup since 1958, while they were also indebted to the performance of Hennessey in goal. 

Going for a Dutch win to nil will offer more value than a straight away team victory and it is difficult to see Page's outfit creating too many chances against the in-form visitors, particularly if the Dragons coach rings the changes as expected. 

The Netherlands leading at half-time and full-time is another market that offers value. 

Of their last nine wins, the Dutch have been leading at half-time in no less than eight of those victories. 

One man to keep an eye out for is Barcelona forward Memphis Depay, who is currently enjoying his best form for his country. 

With an impressive 13 goals in his last nine outings, the former Manchester United man is a real threat for the Oranje. 

A brace in his last game against Roberto Martinez's side showed once again why he is the Netherlands' main threat in attack. 

Looking at Depay in the first or anytime goalscorer markets is certainly worth consideration for an attacker playing with plenty of confidence at present.