Holland beat Ukraine 3-2 in their opening game, with 62% possession, 15 shots, 7 on target, 5 corners and no cards. Holland were in control for the whole game other than a 5 minute spell from the 75th to 80th minute where they conceded 2 goals. Luckily for them to managed to score a late winner, but it will encourage sides they meet that they obviously have some defensive issues that can be exploited. Austria beat North Macedonia 3-1, they had 63% possession, 4 corners, 10 shots, 6 on target and 1 yellow card. The win for Austria was not as comfortable as the score suggests, with North Macedonia causing Austria real problems, and Austria only pulling away late on scoring 2 goals in the last 15 minutes.
The referee for this game is Oren Grinfeld (Israel), who this season has refereed 9 games, handing out 38 yellow cards and 3 red cards, for an average of 4.22 yellow cards per game and 0.33 red cards per game. In his career so far he has been the man in the middle of 32 games, giving 121 yellow cards and 9 red cards, an average of 3.78 yellow cards per game and 0,28 red cards per game.
Both sides already have a win in their pocket and know that w in here will guarantee them a spot in the knock out stages. This should be an attacking game. Neither side impressed defensively in their opening game with North Macedonia causing Austria real problems and Holland being caught out twice in 5 minutes by Ukraine, though the first goal was a wonder strike which they couldn’t have done too much about other than close down more aggressively. Both sides will be confident of picking up points in their final group game, so hopefully both view this as an opportunity. The big question for Austria is where do they play David Alaba? he started off in defence against North Macedonia and when they needed a goal he moved to a much more attacking position. There is no doubt they carry more attacking threat the further up the pitch he is, but the further up the pitch he moves, the weaker their defence becomes. I expect a similar tac tic with him starting at the back and moving forward should they need a goal. I feel this game may be won in the midfield with players like Wijnaldum controlling the flow of the game and creating opportunities for Holland attackers like Depay. I feel this will be a good game to watch and Holland will likely come out on top by a 3-1 or 3-2 score line.
