Match Result
Serbia
Netherland
WinnerSunday’s game in Belgrade gives Serbia a quick chance to recover from their 2-1 loss to Greece. They scored early on Thursday but could not hold their lead. The Netherlands arrive with a point after Cody Gakpo’s late goal earned a 1-1 draw against Germany. Neither team has won in Group A2 yet. Serbia will want to make better use of their home advantage, while the Dutch will look to turn chances into a win. This article looks at both teams, their recent matches and the betting options for Sunday. This article looks at both teams, their recent matches and the betting options for Sunday. For more on how this competition works, read our UEFA Nations league betting guide.
Serbia vs Netherlands Match Outlook
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Serbia Team Profile: Squad Options and Current Form
Veljko Paunović’s Serbia play their second straight home game only three days after the Greece defeat. Andrija Živković’s early goal showed they can start quickly, but losing the lead exposed a problem they must address against another strong opponent. Serbia missed the World Cup, and their recent friendlies have offered little reassurance. The coaching staff must balance attacking ambition with better protection at the back.
Serbia’s Last Matches Results and Recent Form
| Match and date | Match type | Outcome for Serbia |
| Serbia vs Greece, 24 Sep 2026 | Nations League | Lost 1-2 |
| Mexico vs Serbia, 4 Jun 2026 | Friendly | Lost 1-5 |
| Cabo Verde vs Serbia, 31 May 2026 | Friendly | Lost 0-3 |
| Serbia vs Saudi Arabia, 31 Mar 2026 | Friendly | Won 2-1 |
| Spain vs Serbia, 27 Mar 2026 | Friendly | Lost 0-3 |
Serbia have lost four of their last five, conceding 14 goals and scoring four. The opposition included Spain and Mexico, but the defensive trend is difficult to ignore. Against Greece, they led from the fourth minute before giving up an equaliser and a stoppage-time winner. An early goal against the Netherlands would help; holding that advantage for the full match is the harder question. These results help explain Serbia’s form, but check the current UEFA nations league Odds before deciding what price makes sense for this fixture.
Serbia’s Squad Choices for the Netherlands Match
Serbia’s player pool includes experienced internationals and younger options. The names below are available squad options rather than a confirmed matchday list or starting XI. Availability should be checked again after the short turnaround from Thursday.
- Goalkeepers: Vanja Milinković-Savić, Đorđe Petrović and Filip Stanković appear among the listed options.
- Defenders: Nikola Milenković, Strahinja Pavlović, Strahinja Eraković, Miloš Veljković, Filip Kostić and Kosta Nedeljković.
- Midfielders: Sergej Milinković-Savić, Saša Lukić, Nemanja Gudelj, Lazar Samardžić and Aleksandar Stanković are among the midfield choices.
- Forwards: Dušan Vlahović, Luka Jović, Dušan Tadić, Andrija Živković and Dejan Joveljić feature in the wider attacking group.
Živković scored against Greece and Tadić supplied the assist, making their combination an obvious feature to watch. Serbia also have several central attacking options, but the decision is not simply who starts up front. Paunović must find a shape that gives the Netherlands fewer openings than Greece enjoyed after half-time. No lineup is confirmed for Sunday.
Netherlands Team Profile: Squad Option and Current Form
Xavi Hernández’s Netherlands visit Belgrade after opening their campaign with a draw against Germany. Gakpo’s late equaliser earned a point and showed their capacity to stay in a match, even when chasing it. The squad includes experienced defenders and several ways to change the attack. Away from home, the immediate test is whether they can create chances without leaving Serbia room to counter.
The Netherlands’ Last Five Results and Form
| Match and date | Match type | Outcome for the Netherlands |
| Netherlands vs Germany, 24 Sep 2026 | Nations League | Drew 1-1 |
| Netherlands vs Morocco, 30 Jun 2026 | World Cup, round of 32 | Drew 1-1; lost 2-3 on penalties |
| Tunisia vs Netherlands, 26 Jun 2026 | World Cup group stage | Won 3-1 |
| Netherlands vs Sweden, 20 Jun 2026 | World Cup group stage | Won 5-1 |
| Netherlands vs Japan, 14 Jun 2026 | World Cup group stage | Drew 2-2 |
The Netherlands are unbeaten after 90 minutes in these five games: two wins and three draws. They scored 12 goals and conceded seven, although half their goals came against Sweden. The Morocco tie ended in elimination on penalties despite finishing level after regulation time and extra time. Germany led until Gakpo equalised late. That resilience is useful, but the Dutch have drawn their last two.
Netherlands Squad Options Against Serbia
The current listed squad gives Xavi choices across every line. The following names are selected examples, not a projected starting XI.Donyell Malen is not among the players listed in the current squad.
- Goalkeepers: Bart Verbruggen, Robin Roefs and Mark Flekken.
- Defenders: Virgil van Dijk, Denzel Dumfries, Micky van de Ven, Nathan Aké, Jan Paul van Hecke and Jeremie Frimpong.
- Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch, Tijjani Reijnders, Joey Veerman, Quinten Timber and Teun Koopmeiners.
- Forwards: Cody Gakpo, Brian Brobbey, Crysencio Summerville, Noa Lang, Mexx Meerdink and Ruben van Bommel.
Gakpo’s equaliser against Germany makes him the clearest recent attacking reference point. Van Dijk offers experience in central defence, but the quick turnaround could influence Xavi’s selections. Check the official teamsheet before naming a player scorer or shots selection, particularly where a substitute appearance would change the likely minutes. A player’s role can affect the Football odds on goals and shots, so compare those prices once the starting team is announced.
Have Serbia and the Netherlands Met Head to Head Before?
The Netherlands beat Serbia and Montenegro 1-0 at the 2006 World Cup, but that was not a match against the independent Serbia team playing on Sunday. Those were different national-team designations. The records checked for this preview do not show a previous senior match between independent Serbia and the Netherlands. The historical match is shown below for context only, not as a head-to-head trend for Sunday.
| Date | Competition | Official opponent designation | Venue | Result |
| 11 Jun 2006 | World Cup group stage | Serbia and Montenegro | Leipzig, Germany | Serbia and Montenegro 0-1 Netherlands |
Arjen Robben scored the only goal in the 2006 match. That result belongs to the record of Serbia and Montenegro, so it should not be counted as a defeat for independent Serbia. With no verified previous senior meeting between the teams as they are named today, there is no direct head-to-head trend to favour either side on Sunday.
Serbia vs Netherlands Prediction: Who Has the Edge in Belgrade?
The hosts have a second chance in Belgrade, while the visitors bring the steadier recent record. The result call weighs those factors rather than treating a match involving Serbia and Montenegro as a direct precedent.
What Do the Teams’ Latest Results Suggest?
Serbia conceded 14 goals across their last five matches and lost four, including the home opener against Greece. The Netherlands scored in all five of theirs, remained unbeaten after 90 minutes and rescued a draw against Germany late on. Serbia can threaten early, as Živković showed, but they need to sustain pressure and defend better when the momentum shifts. On recent evidence, the Dutch have the stronger case.
Does the Head-to-Head Record Point to a Winner?
Not convincingly. The documented 2006 match was against Serbia and Montenegro, so it cannot establish how independent Serbia have fared against the Netherlands. Even as a historical example, its players and setting have no direct bearing on this Nations League meeting. Recent results and Sunday’s confirmed lineups offer a sounder basis for a prediction.
Our Score Pick for Sunday
Our pick: Serbia 1-2 Netherlands. The Dutch have scored in each of their last five games, while Serbia have conceded 14 goals across theirs. Serbia’s early goal against Greece shows they can trouble the visitors, especially at home. If they defend more firmly, a 1-1 draw is also possible. “A 1-1 draw remains possible if Serbia defend more firmly.
Serbia vs Netherlands Betting Angles
A bet on the result works differently from a bet on goals or a player’s performance. The options below explain what each market needs to win and why it might suit this match. You do not need to back more than one. If you are new to these markets, read how to bet on football before choosing, and check the lineups and rules before placing a bet.
Match winner: Netherlands
The match-winner market pays if the Netherlands lead after 90 minutes plus stoppage time. That is the direct result pick behind the 2-1 prediction. Serbia’s four defeats in five and the Dutch side’s scoring in each of their last five support the selection. A draw would lose it, so the home setting and Serbia’s early goal against Greece remain meaningful risks.
Netherlands draw no bet
Backing the Netherlands draw no bet wins on an away victory and returns the stake if the game ends level. It loses if Serbia win. This covers the 1-1 alternative without changing the main Dutch lean. The draw protection generally means a shorter price than the straight match-winner market, so compare both rather than backing them automatically together.
Double chance: Netherlands or draw
This double-chance market wins if the Netherlands win or the sides draw. Serbia must win for the selection to lose. It is broader protection than draw no bet because a draw pays instead of returning the stake, though prices tend to be shorter. It suits readers who favour the Dutch recent form but do not want to ignore Belgrade’s home advantage.
Both teams to score: Yes
Both teams to score needs at least one goal from Serbia and one from the Netherlands. It fits both the 2-1 prediction and the 1-1 alternative. The Dutch have scored in five straight games; Serbia scored early against Greece. That is a plausible route to two scorers, although Serbia were shut out by Spain and Cabo Verde in recent friendlies.
Over 2.5 total goals
Over 2.5 total goals requires at least three goals across both teams in regulation time. A 2-1 Dutch win would qualify, while a 1-1 draw would lose. Serbia have conceded heavily in their recent games, but that alone cannot establish how open Sunday will be. Consider this market separately from both teams to score, as either bet can win without the other.
Netherlands to score first
This bet needs the Netherlands to score the opening goal, regardless of the final result. They found the net in all five most recent matches, giving them a credible chance to strike. Serbia scored first against Greece, however, so a Dutch win would not necessarily make this pick successful. Treat first scorer as a separate match scenario, not a duplicate of match winner.
Netherlands over 0.5 team goals
One Netherlands goal in regulation time is enough for this team-total bet. It is less demanding than backing an away win because Serbia could equalise or even win afterward. The Dutch have scored in their last five, while Serbia conceded in each of theirs. The available price may be short, so avoid assuming the easier condition automatically offers useful value.
Serbia over 0.5 team goals
This selection needs one Serbia goal, even if the Netherlands go on to win. It follows the predicted 2-1 score and Serbia’s fourth-minute strike against Greece. Two blanks in their previous friendlies against Spain and Cabo Verde show why a home goal is not certain. Consider whether the price justifies taking a separate position on Serbia’s attack.
Cody Gakpo anytime goalscorer
An anytime-goalscorer selection wins if Gakpo scores during normal time plus stoppage time under the market’s rules. He supplied the Netherlands’ late equaliser against Germany, making him a relevant player choice, but an away win does not require his goal. Confirm he starts, assess his likely minutes and check the available price before betting.
Andrija Živković to record a shot
This player market needs at least one Živković attempt recorded as a shot by the operator’s data provider. He scored against Greece, giving a match-specific reason to consider him again without predicting another goal. His position and playing time may change in Sunday’s lineup. Check the teamsheet and whether blocked attempts count before selecting the market.
Keep Betting Within Your Budget
Serbia’s late loss to Greece and the Netherlands’ draw with Germany may make Sunday’s match hard to call. A close prediction does not make any bet safer. If you choose to bet, set a limit before kick-off and stop when you reach it. Never chase a loss, and only gamble if you meet the legal age requirement and it is allowed where you live. For free online help worldwide, visit Gambling Therapy. GamCare’s international contacts can help you find support in your country, while the Responsible Gambling Council offers advice on safer gambling and spotting harm.
The Call for Sunday in Belgrade
The Netherlands are the narrow pick to win 2-1 in Belgrade. Serbia can make this competitive at home, but their four defeats in five and the Dutch side’s consistent recent scoring tip the balance toward the visitors. Confirm the starting teams and compare current market prices before deciding whether any selection is worth considering.
