Read our Serbia vs Netherlands prediction with betting tips, probable lineups, and match odds ahead of Sunday's exciting UEFA Nations League clash.
Serbia vs Netherlands Match Summary
Competition | UEFA Nations League |
|---|---|
Match Date | Sunday 27 September 2026 |
Match Time | 17:00 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Belgrade, Rajko Mitic Stadium |
This Serbia vs Netherlands prediction sizes up a Nations League clash in Belgrade, where the Dutch land as heavy favourites and the hosts arrive under pressure after a rough start.
Serbia opened their Group A2 campaign with a 2-1 home defeat to Greece, and with their attack picked apart by injuries, confidence at Rajko Mitic Stadium is thin on the ground.
The Netherlands began under Xavi with a 1-1 draw against Germany in Amsterdam, Cody Gakpo rescuing a point late on. They travel to Serbia knowing three points is the target.
There is only one previous meeting between the two nations, and it went the Dutch way. Xavi's side start firm favourites to make it a group-defining afternoon.
Serbia vs Netherlands Form
Serbia are in a genuine rut, beaten in three straight internationals and losing four of their last five. Against Greece they led early through Andrija Zivkovic before Christos Tzolis levelled and Tasos Douvikas struck a 94th-minute winner. Sitting bottom of the group on form, they badly need a response in front of their own fans.
The Netherlands showed their stubbornness in Amsterdam, where they trailed to Felix Nmecha's goal before Cody Gakpo drilled home a 92nd-minute volley to draw 1-1 with Germany. Ranked second in the group by form and standing, they look the more balanced unit heading into this fixture, and Gakpo remains their sharpest attacking outlet.
Serbia vs Netherlands Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Serbia: Dusan Vlahovic (Injured/out), Mihailo Ivanovic (Injured/out)
Netherlands: Frenkie de Jong (Injured/out), Mats Wieffer (Injured/out), Donyell Malen (Injured/out), Jurrien Timber (Injured/doubtful), Brian Brobbey (Injured/doubtful)
Serbia
Serbia have been hit hard up top, with attacking duo Mihailo Ivanovic and Dusan Vlahovic both ruled out. That leaves Luka Jovic and Dusan Tadic to shoulder the creative load, while Ipswich midfielder Sasa Lukic could step into the engine room on Sunday.
Netherlands
The Netherlands are without Frenkie de Jong, Mats Wieffer and Donyell Malen through injury, while there are question marks over defender Jurrien Timber and Brian Brobbey, who is being assessed after picking up a knock against Germany. Mexx Meerdink is expected to lead the line in Belgrade.
Serbia vs Netherlands Predicted Lineup
Serbia
Formation: 4-4-2
Predicted Starting Lineup: V. Milinkovic-Savic; N. Simic, S. Erakovic, S. Pavlovic, F. Kostic; A. Zivkovic, N. Maksimovic, S. Milinkovic-Savic, S. Lukic; L. Jovic, D. Tadic
Netherlands
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Starting Lineup: B. Verbruggen; D. Dumfries, V. v. Dijk, J. P. v. Hecke, M. v. d. Ven; T. Reijnders, Q. Timber, R. Gravenberch; C. Summerville, M. Meerdink, C. Gakpo
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Serbia vs Netherlands Key Stats & Match Facts
This is Matchday 2 of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League Group A2 phase.
Serbia have lost three internationals in a row and four of their last five.
The Netherlands drew their opener 1-1 with Germany, Cody Gakpo equalising in stoppage time.
Serbia conceded a 94th-minute Tasos Douvikas winner in their 2-1 home defeat to Greece.
The only previous meeting between these nations ended in a Netherlands win.
Serbia vs Netherlands Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: A misfiring Serbia side, shorn of Vlahovic and Ivanovic and beaten in three straight, look up against it here. The Netherlands should have too much quality on the road, and we make it a 2-0 win for the visitors. This Serbia vs Netherlands prediction points firmly to the away side.
Best Bets
Back Netherlands to take all three points in the Win Market. The Dutch are the clear favourites, topping the group's form standings against a fourth-placed Serbia side badly depleted up front with Dusan Vlahovic and Mihailo Ivanovic both ruled out. That gap in quality should tell over 90 minutes.
Back Both Teams To Score - Yes at the Rajko Mitic Stadium. Even with their attack thinned out, Serbia carry a home threat through Dusan Tadic, and the Dutch have looked vulnerable at the back on the road. With an open game projected, both sides finding the net makes plenty of sense.
Serbia vs Netherlands Bet Builder
Our Serbia vs Netherlands bet builder tips pull together four legs: Netherlands to win, Cody Gakpo anytime goalscorer, both teams to score and Sasa Lukic to be shown a card.
The Netherlands win anchors the slip. With Serbia missing Vlahovic and Ivanovic and sitting bottom of the group, Xavi's side carry far greater attacking depth and look the stronger outfit on paper.
Cody Gakpo is the obvious goalscorer pick. He rescued the draw with Germany with a late volley and remains the Dutch side's most reliable attacking threat going forward.
Both teams to score reflects an open encounter. Serbia still carry a home threat through Dusan Tadic, while the Dutch have shown defensive frailty travelling away from home.
Sasa Lukic completes the four. The combative midfielder is likely to step into the engine room, and his physical style in a competitive fixture makes a booking a fair shout.
At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 12/1 and is as short as 8/1 elsewhere.
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Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
Serbia vs Netherlands Talking Points
This is Xavi's first away match in charge of the Netherlands since his appointment in August 2026, and after that late escape against Germany he will want a cleaner performance in Belgrade. The build-up has centred on Joshua Zirkzee, called up for the first time since November 2024, with Xavi saying the Manchester United forward "can help us enormously" and "suits our style better." For a Serbia side beaten in three straight and missing Vlahovic and Ivanovic, keeping the door shut early will be the priority in this match, which forms part of the UEFA Nations League group phase.
Serbia vs Netherlands Predictions FAQs
When is the Serbia vs Netherlands UEFA Nations League game?
The match takes place on Sunday 27 September 2026, kicking off at 17:00 UK time.
Where is Serbia vs Netherlands being played?
The match is being played at Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade.
What competition is Serbia vs Netherlands in?
Serbia vs Netherlands is a fixture in the UEFA Nations League.
Who are the favourites for Serbia vs Netherlands?
The Netherlands are the clear favourites, with Serbia available at 7/1 with Bet365 and the Dutch priced at 4/9 with Coral and Betfred.
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