Belgium hosting the Netherlands is one of the big matches to look out for when the UEFA Nations League kicks off. The two giants face off in Group 4 of League A and both will hope this competition offers the right preparations for the 2022 World Cup. Belgium reached the final stages of the Nations League last time out, but lost to France and Italy. This time they will hope for a better ending. They’ve played four matches since their loss to Italy and are unbeaten in that run, though with just one clean sheet. Their only clean sheet in six matches was against Burkina Faso in a 3-0 win. The current group of players has been termed Belgium’s golden generation, but has no international trophy to show, and that will be a big issue for them now and towards Qatar 2022. One concern coach Roberto Martinez will have, is the aging backline, and it has shown in recent matches the team conceding two or more in five of the last 10 matches.

The Netherlands seems to have turned the bend after missing out on major tournaments in the past years. They fell short at the Euro 2020, but after missing the Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018, there’s a lot of positives to pick in their current shape. They are booked for Qatar 2022 and this, for them too, will be a good preparation for the competition. The Dutch come into this game unbeaten in nine matches and have only failed to score in one of the last 10 games. They are bubbling with youth in the squad, well mixed with experienced heads and will fancy their chances here. In seven of their last eight matches, the Dutch have scored two or more goals, though they have just four clean sheets in the last 10 matches.