Netherlands have had an easiest path of all 24 teams to the last 16 with the average ranking of their opponents 17 with an combined % chance of winning the Euros at 2.2% (Ukraine 1%, Austria 1% and North Macedonia 0.2%).
However does that dampen the fact they have the highest xG from the group stages at 7.6? Only time will tell.
Malen has the most xA of the group stages with 1.9 and Blind has the most progressive passing distance of the group stages at 2258. (Courtesy of Fbref). Against Ukraine Blind had 71 accurate passed at a 96% pass completion rate and he took only 1.054 touches per pass.
Czech Republic's xG from the group stages was 3.7 with a Post Shot xG of 2.3. The 0.9 negative differential being the worst of all 24 teams. The conceded only 2 goals from an xGA of 3.7. That differential was the most favourable of all teams. Were they lucky?
The average ranking of Czech Republic's opponents was 10.3.
Against England they had an xG of 0.3 and a Post Shot xG of 0.
Coufal has the most interceptions of the group stages at 14.
Likely line ups;
Netherlands
- Stekelenburg
- Vrij, Ligt and Blind
- Dumfries, F de Jong, Wijnaldum, Gravenberchvan and van Aanholt
- Depay and Malen
- Czech Republic
- Vaclik
- Coufal, Celustka, Kalas and Boril
- Kral, Soucek, Masopust and Darida
- Jankto and Schick
I expect the Netherlands to win comfortably and the CelticTrendsTip is the Netherlands to win by 2 or more goals @ 67/40 (just over 13/8).
Celtic Trends 🍀📈⚽️
Tony@CelticTrends.com
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