Spain vs Netherlands predictions: Oranje can deny Spain at Mestalla
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- Netherlands had the better of the first leg in Rotterdam which finished 2-2
- Spain have not beaten the Netherlands in 90 minutes since 1983, nine games ago
- Recommended Bet: Double Chance - Draw or Netherlands
Spain and the Netherlands are level at 2-2 going into a crucial Nations League quarter-final second leg at Valencia's Estadio Mestalla on Sunday evening.
The reigning champions drew first blood in Rotterdam when Lamine Yamal robbed Jorrel Hato and Pedri set up Nico Williams to finish from close range.
However, Ronald Koeman's side struck back through Cody Gakpo's powerful finish, before taking the lead when Tijjani Reijnders finished off a flowing move.
Spain showed their resilience in stoppage time when Mikel Merino followed up a parried save from Bart Verbruggen to ensure the tie remains on a knife edge.
Team news
Spain lost Pau Cubarsi to an ankle injury in Thursday’s first leg and he looks likely to be replaced in the starting line-up by Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, who came off the bench to make his debut.
Ayoze Perez is suspended after picking up a second-half booking, while Spain coach Luis De la Fuente hopes Ferran Torres recovers from the knock that kept him out in Rotterdam to offer another attacking option.
Villarreal winger Yeremy Pino and Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio were also left out of the first leg, but could come back into the reckoning.
As for the Oranje, Koeman has not ruled out calling up another left-back to his squad for the trip to Spain.
Hato is suspended and Arsenal full-back Jurrien Timber missed the first leg through illness, which meant Lutsharel Geertruida was switched across from right to left when the teenage Ajax defender was sent off.
Jeremie Frimpong looks set to keep his place on the right wing, with Jan Paul van Hecke again likely to form the defensive axis alongside captain Virgil van Dijk.
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The stats
Spain have won 14 and drawn three of their last 17 international matches, but they have not beaten the Netherlands in 90 minutes since 1983, nine meetings ago.
Yamal now has more international caps (18) than years on the planet (17).
Merino’s last two goals for Spain have been timed at 90+3 and 119 minutes.
Memphis Depay earned his 99th Dutch cap in the first leg and remains four goals shy of Robin van Persie’s national record goal tally of 50.
Prediction
It is dangerous for Spain to think that they have done the hard work by escaping from De Kuip with a draw, because the Dutch should draw encouragement from their display.
Koeman’s side were superior for long spells after quelling the threat of Spain’s wingers by inverting their full-backs to overload the midfield.
The Dutch coach also exploited Spain’s only real weakness at the moment – the defensive deficiencies of their full-backs – by overwhelming Marc Cucurella with pace and outnumbering Pedro Porro.
It would be no surprise to see De La Fuente make changes in those areas for this game, but that could reduce Spain’s potency in attack.
Timber’s return to fitness would be timely and, if he is able to start, the visitors can hold out for another draw to extend their unbeaten run against Spain (in 90 minutes) to 10 games.
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