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Ian Parker

What are Holland like? A look at Northern Ireland's Euro 2020 qualifying rivals

Northern Ireland meet Holland in what could be Michael O'Neill's final match in charge at Windsor Park on Saturday.

The Green and White Army still have a mathematical chance of qualifying automatically for Euro 2020 but would need victories from both this match and Tuesday's trip to Germany to stand a chance.

Here, PA takes a closer look at Holland.

Form

This match would have a very different complexion were it not for two fortunate goals for the Dutch in the last 10 minutes of the reverse fixture in Rotterdam last month.

Josh Magennis gave Northern Ireland a 75th-minute lead, but with the aid of a little luck, Holland hit back with three late goals - two in stoppage time - to claim a 3-1 win and break Northern Irish hearts.

Ronald Koeman's side followed that up with a 2-1 win in Belarus to make it four straight victories, sending them to the top of Group C with 15 points from six games.

Coach

Koeman may get a rough reception at Windsor Park following his criticism of Northern Ireland's style in the wake of last month's game.

Koeman claimed Northern Ireland's tactics were "outrageous" and "terrible to watch" at De Kuip, comments which did not impress O'Neill.

But the former Southampton and Everton boss spoke from a position of strength, having gone a long way to revive the fortunes of a side who missed both Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup with poor qualifying campaigns.

Players

Northern Ireland's players need not do too much homework on the Dutch squad as they are more than familiar with most of them already.

In Matthijs De Ligt and Frenkie De Jong, the Dutch boast two of the hottest young talents in Europe, while the experienced core of Virgil Van Dijk, Daley Blind and Georginio Wijnaldum add stability.

Check out this week's That's What I Call Football podcast (below) to hear what our panel had to say about Michael O'Neill's move to Stoke City...

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