World Cup
2025-09-04 - Netherlands vs Poland
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA World Cup Qualifiers
Thursday 4th August 2025 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Netherlands
The appearance in the Nations League Quarter Finals has meant having to play catch up in the World Cup Qualifiers, but the Netherlands are firmly on track to reach the Finals in 2026. Wins over Finland and Malta may have been expected, but Netherlands should be given credit for earning those wins and becoming favourites to win this Group and earn direct entry into the World Cup Finals.
They are not only 2nd in this Group after results in June, but Netherlands are a point behind Finland, while also holding multiple games in hand over some of the rivals around them. Two wins have been earned in this Group and Netherlands have scored 10 goals and kept clean sheets in the previous two games.
Netherlands thumped Malta at home days after beating Finland on their travels and they will certainly feel they can take control of this Group at the end of Thursday evening. The side have lost 1 of their last 6 games in all competitions, despite the majority of those being in the upper tier of the Nations League tournament, while Netherlands have won 7 of the last 9 at home.
Poland
There has been some upheaval around the Poland national team which was heavily focused on Robert Lewandowski's proclamation that he will not play under the previous manager. The FA could not risk alienating their best player and so the manager was replaced, although Poland remain a nation that looks to be in transition.
Despite that, Poland are expected to be involved in the expanded World Cup Finals next summer and so there is work to do. Only the Group winner will earn direct entry into the World Cup, but Poland are 3rd in the section and have the same number of points as Netherlands, albeit having played a game more than the Dutch.
Poland were beaten in their last World Cup Qualifying game in Finland and that has already put some pressure on the team. This is a nation that disappointed in the Nations League last year, while Poland have lost 3 away games in a row in all competitions.
Head to Head
These two nations met in the Euro 2024 Group Stage and it was Netherlands who won 2-1 on the day on a neutral field.
The last competitive game hosted by Netherlands against Poland was in the Nations League and that ended 2-2.
Netherlands are unbeaten in 13 games against Poland and they have won 8 of those fixtures played.
Prediction
The expanded World Cup format has been designed to offer more opportunities to nations outside of the UEFA confederation and this is a tough Group to underline the statement.
Only one of Netherlands, Poland or Finland will have direct entry into the World Cup next summer and it is the Dutch who can move into a strong position on Thursday.
They will not take anything for granted against Poland, but Netherlands should have too much quality for the visiting team that may be in something of a transition.
Poland were beaten 2-1 at Finland within this Group and Netherlands may have enough about them to secure a more comfortable success.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Netherlands 2-0 Poland
