An old rivalry is to be rekindled on Tuesday when the Netherlands play host to their neighbours Belgium at the Amsterdam ArenA. The game is nominally a friendly, but with both of these sides having failed to live up to expectations in recent times, they'll be looking to gain all the momentum they can. The Netherlands head into the game having won just one of their last four; Belgium have won three in a row, albeit against considerably weaker opposition.
Netherlands vs. Belgium 2016: Start time, live stream, TV schedule, and 3 things to know
An old Low Countries rivalry is rekindled in Amsterdam on Wednesday.
Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
The Netherlands will be without injured attackers Luciano Narsingh, Steven Berghuis and Eljero Elia, though otherwise should have a full strength team available. Veteran Belgian defenders Toby Alderweireld and Thomas Vermaelen are also sidelined, but coach Roberto Martínez has key men like Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne at his disposal. Expect to see them feature on Wednesday.
How to watch, stream, and listen
TV: beIN Sports (US and Canada - English); beIN Sports en Español (US and Canada - Spanish)
Online streaming: beIN Sports Connect (US and Canada)
For online listings in other countries, you can check out LiveSoccerTV.
Three big things to know
1. The Netherlands have picked up four points from a possible nine in a shaky start to their World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign. The Oranje have been going through something of a transition period of late, and shockingly failed to qualify for the summer's European Championships in France. With pride at stake against a talented Belgian side, they'll have to raise their game.
2. Belgium's golden generation has failed to deliver at the last couple of major tournaments, and the FA finally sacked underperforming coach Marc Wilmots after they were dumped out of the Euros by Wales. His replacement, Roberto Martínez, made a losing start in a friendly against Spain, though has won all three of his competitive matches so far.
3. This really is a very historic fixture. The Netherlands’ first ever international match was played against Belgium back in 1905. On that occasion, they ran out 4-1 winners away in Antwerp. Their fortunes haven’t been so great of late. Belgium have won both of the last two meetings between these sides, and not since 1997 have the Netherlands had the bragging rights of the Low Countries.
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