Germany vs. Netherlands preview: Team news and predicted lineups
| Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images |
The German national team head into their final Group A2 match of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League on Monday, hoping to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
Following a 3-1 away victory over bottom-placed Serbia, who have yet to pick up a point, Jürgen Klopp's side sit third in the group with eight points, level with second-placed Greece. The Netherlands lead the standings on 11 points after thrashing Greece 7-0 on Friday.
A victory over the Netherlands would guarantee Germany a place in the quarter-finals in March 2027, with the margin of victory and Greece's result in the simultaneous match against Serbia determining whether they finish first or second in Group A2.
Klopp's side would top the group if they beat the Netherlands and Greece fail to defeat Serbia. A German victory by at least five goals would also be enough to secure first place, regardless of Greece's result. If Germany win by a margin of four goals or fewer while Greece also claim victory, they would finish as group runners-up instead.
A draw would leave Germany's qualification hopes dependent on the result between Greece and Serbia. If Greece lose, Germany would advance to the quarter-finals in second place. However, if Greece pick up at least a point, Germany would finish third and miss out on the knockout stages.
A defeat against the Netherlands would also leave Die Nationalmannschaft third in the group, regardless of the result in the other fixture. That could have further consequences, potentially sending Germany into the League A/B relegation play-offs in March 2027.
If Norway beat Denmark the following day, Germany would be among the two lowest-ranked third-placed teams across League A's four groups and would therefore have to face one of the League B group runners-up in a two-legged relegation play-off.
Team news and predicted lineups:
Jürgen Klopp could make a couple of changes to his backline for Monday's clash with the Netherlands.
Rather surprisingly, Klopp left Nico Schlotterbeck out of the starting XI against Serbia, opting instead for Malick Thiaw. The Germany coach explained that Thiaw's inclusion would give his side an advantage when dealing with Serbia's long balls. However, with the Dutch team expected to favour a more technical, possession-based approach, keeping the ball on the ground, Schlotterbeck is likely to return to the starting line-up.
On the left side of defence, the more technically gifted Nathaniel Brown could come in, potentially replacing Maximilian Mittelstädt.
As for the Netherlands, Frenkie de Jong is set to miss the game after picking up a knock, with Teun Koopmeiners likely to step in alongside Borussia Dortmund's Joey Veerman in central midfield.
Otherwise, head coach Xavi Hernández has little reason to tinker with his starting XI following the emphatic 7-0 victory over Greece.
Click here to see our predicted Germany vs. Netherlands lineups.
