Oh, Netherlands, when are you going to live up to your potential?
The Oranje made it all the way to the first Nations League Final in 2019, losing 1-0 to Portugal. But they have also been a mess at certain times, despite tons of talent. It is all on Memphis to score the goals, as the Netherlands does not have that talismanic striker that some of the other big teams have, which may ultimately be this team’s demise in the latter stages of the tournament. For now, though, Netherlands should qualify easily from this group with 7+ points.
After that, it is interesting. The odds favor Austria, which has imploded at qualification tournaments in the past and is playing at only its third major tournament this century. Ukraine is third in the odds, with North Macedonia fourth.
No one is giving North Macedonia a chance in this group, but I am telling you, that team is not bad. With a win over Germany recently, North Macedonia showed it can hang with the big boys.
GROUP C
Odds to win Group C
Netherlands -205
Austria +450
Ukraine +475
North Macedonia +4000
Odds to qualify for knockout stage
Netherlands -5000
Ukraine -300
Austria -275
North Macedonia +240
Teams to advance: Netherlands (winner 1C), Ukraine (runner-up 2C)
Group C Matchday-1 odds
June 13
Austria (-155) vs. North Macedonia (+525), draw (+300), 12 p.m EDT (ESPN)
Netherlands (-148) vs. Ukraine (+480), draw (+265), 3 p.m. EDT (ESPN)
Matchday-1 Predictions
North Macedonia double chance win or draw, Netherlands -1