Read our Netherlands vs Serbia prediction with the latest odds, projected lineups, and expert betting tips ahead of this UEFA Nations League showdown.
Netherlands vs Serbia Match Summary
Competition | UEFA Nations League A |
|---|---|
Match Date | Sunday 4 October 2026 |
Match Time | 19:45 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Philips Stadion |
Netherlands vs Serbia brings the UEFA Nations League to Philips Stadion on Sunday night, and on paper this is about as lopsided as an international fixture gets.
Xavi's Netherlands sit second on five points and remain unbeaten in the competition. Still, needing second-half goals from Virgil van Dijk and Tijjani Reijnders to salvage a point against Greece hardly screamed control.
Serbia arrive bottom of the table without a point. Veljko Paunovic's side lost 2-0 to Germany last time out. That made it five straight defeats in all competitions.
History offers Serbia little comfort either. The Netherlands have won both previous meetings between these sides, and Serbia are still waiting for so much as a draw.
Netherlands vs Serbia Form
The Netherlands have won 6 of their last 10 matches against all opponents, and they shoot on sight, piling up 18 or more shots in each of their last three outings in this competition. The worry is the back door: Denzel Dumfries admits they shouldn't be conceding so many goals, with no clean sheet all year.
Serbia are in a proper rut, and their recent outings have been messy, open affairs, with 29 or more shots flying in across their last three games here. With Dusan Vlahovic doubtful through a calf problem, Luka Jovic looks set to carry the goal threat alone.
Netherlands vs Serbia Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Netherlands: C. Gakpo (Injured/out), F. de Jong (Injured/out), M. Wieffer (Injured/out), D. Malen (Injured/out), B. Brobbey (Injured/out), J. P. van Hecke (Injured/out)
Serbia: M. Ivanovic (Injured/out), D. Vlahovic (Injured/doubtful)
Netherlands
The big story in the Netherlands vs Serbia lineups is a Dutch injury list that keeps growing. Centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke joined it after missing the Greece game, while Gakpo, Malen and Brobbey are all out. No attacking changes are expected from Xavi, so Mexx Meerdink leads the line between Summerville and Van Bommel, with Reijnders and Ryan Gravenberch stepping into the engine room.
Serbia
Dusan Vlahovic remains doubtful after missing the Germany game with a calf problem, and Ivanovic is injured. Expect Veljko Paunovic to recall Sasa Lukic and Strahinja Pavlovic, with Lukic sitting alongside Milinkovic-Savic in a double pivot and Jovic leading the line.
Netherlands vs Serbia Predicted Lineup
Netherlands
Formation: 4-3-3 (probable)
Predicted Starting Lineup: B. Verbruggen; D. Dumfries, J. Timber, V. van Dijk, M. van de Ven; J. Veerman, R. Gravenberch, T. Reijnders; C. Summerville, M. Meerdink, R. van Bommel (probable)
Serbia
Formation: 4-2-3-1 (probable)
Predicted Starting Lineup: V. Milinkovic-Savic; K. Nedeljkovic, S. Babic, S. Pavlovic, F. Kostic; S. Lukic, S. Milinkovic-Savic; A. Zivkovic, S. Dzodic, D. Tadic; L. Jovic (probable)
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Netherlands vs Serbia Key Stats & Match Facts
Netherlands have had 5+ shots on target in 3 of their last 3 matches (UEFA Nations League A).
There have been 27+ shots taken in 3 of the Netherlands' last 3 matches (UEFA Nations League A).
There have been 9+ shots on target in 3 of the Netherlands' last 3 matches (UEFA Nations League A).
There have been 9+ shots on target in 3 of Serbia's last 3 matches (UEFA Nations League A).
The Netherlands sit second in their four-team section, with Serbia fourth.
Netherlands vs Serbia Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: Our Netherlands vs Serbia prediction is a comfortable 2-0 home win. The Dutch produce shots in bulk even without Gakpo, and a Serbia side on five straight defeats, possibly without Vlahovic, simply lack the firepower to make Philips Stadion uncomfortable.
Best Bets
Virgil van Dijk Over 1.5 in the Player Shots market. The Netherlands should have the ball for long spells, and that means a steady supply of corners and free-kicks for the captain to attack in the air. He was on the scoresheet against Greece, and Serbia will struggle to keep him quiet at set pieces.
Netherlands to win in the Win Market. It is a short price at 2/9 with Ladbrokes, but it sits squarely with our view of the game. Serbia have shown nothing to suggest they can stop the rot, so this is a sturdy anchor for anyone building a wider acca.
Netherlands vs Serbia Bet Builder
Our Netherlands vs Serbia bet builder tips combine a home win, a Mexx Meerdink goal, both teams to score and a card for Sasa Lukic, at 9/1 with Bet365.
A Netherlands win is the foundation. They have been prolific in front of goal recently, and Serbia simply cannot stop losing.
With Gakpo, Malen and Brobbey all injured, Meerdink leads the line and should feed off the sheer volume of Dutch attacking traffic. Anytime scorer is the sensible way in.
This is the bolder leg. Serbia's defence has been wide open of late, and the Dutch have not kept a clean sheet all year either, so goals at both ends make sense.
Lukic returns to anchor the Serbian engine room and will spend the evening chasing Reijnders and Gravenberch. Against a side this direct, a booking for the holding man feels well founded.
At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 9/1 and is as short as 13/2 elsewhere.
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Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
Netherlands vs Serbia Talking Points
The night belongs to Virgil van Dijk, who is in line for his 100th cap, a milestone Xavi described as "incredible". Expect the captain to want to mark it at both ends. Xavi has also hit out at the autumn international schedule, raising player welfare concerns after a heavy run of fixtures, and that fatigue is the one thing that could make this messy. Serbia, meanwhile, are simply playing for their first points of the campaign, and it is hard to see where they come from here.
Netherlands vs Serbia Predictions FAQs
When is the Netherlands vs Serbia UEFA Nations League game?
The match kicks off on Sunday 4 October 2026 at 19:45 UK time.
Where is Netherlands vs Serbia being played?
The match is being played at Philips Stadion.
What competition is Netherlands vs Serbia in?
Netherlands vs Serbia is being played in the UEFA Nations League.
Disclaimer
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