Netherlands vs England: Three key battles in UEFA Nations League semi-final clash

Netherlands vs England: Three key battles in UEFA Nations League semi-final clash
England face the Netherlands on Thursday evening in a mouthwatering UEFA Nations League semi-final.Live commentary for the game from the Estdio D. Afonso Henriques in Portugal will be available on talkSPORT from 7.45pm.4

Southgate is hoping for Nations League glory

However, the Three Lions have the difficult task of overcoming a similarly rejuvenated Netherlands side.Ronald Koeman has transformed the Dutch national team into a real force and his team is littered with immense talent.Their centre-back pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt personifies the team: a brilliant blend of youth, experience and talent.But where will the match be won and lost? talkSPORT.com has identified three key battles that could decide the outcome of the match…

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• Portugal vs Switzerland (Wednesday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT
• Netherlands vs England (Thursday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT
• France vs South Korea (Friday, 8pm) – talkSPORT
• Denmark vs Republic of Ireland (Friday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Croatia vs Wales (Saturday, 2pm) – talkSPORT
• England vs Scotland (Sunday, 5pm) – talkSPORT

---

 

VIRGIL VAN DIJK vs HARRY KANE

Van Dijk kept Kane deathly quiet in the Champions League final and the England skipper will be hoping to get his own back.The PFA Player of the Year has had a stunning season for Liverpool, helping his side to the most clean sheets in the league (22) having just conceded 22 goals throughout the campaign.4

Kane was kept quiet by Van Dijk in the Champions League final

He has also just been crowned a champion of Europe and will feel he is invincible at the back.Kane will have to go into the game thinking he can get something otherwise it could be another long night for the 25-year-old.The Spurs striker is not fully match fit yet but he is sure to start due to the importance of the game.He simply has to be more involved in the match if England are to progress.Jim Proudfoot and Stuart Pearce preview the Nations League on the river in Douro Porto

RAHEEM STERLING vs MATTHIJS DE LIGT

Sterling has also had a stunning season in the Premier League, racking up 17 goals and 10 assists in his best season to date.The 24-year-old has also started scoring freely for the Three Lions, something he has struggled with in the past.The City winger has six goals in his last five outings for Southgate’s side and has become a talismanic figure for England in their last few matches.4

De Ligt has been momentous this season

However, Sterling faces the daunting task of facing another imperious Dutch centre-back.De Ligt is a phenomenal talent for someone who is still just 19 years old. His leadership skills guided Ajax to the Champions League semi-final and there is no surprising there is now an ongoing tug-of-war between Europe’s elite clubs for his signature.If De Ligt can get the better of Sterling then England’s biggest danger is nullified and the Three Lions will have a real chance of hurting the Oranje.

HARRY MAGUIRE vs MEMPHIS DEPAY

Leicester centre-back Maguire had a slow start to the season following England’s gruelling World Cup campaign, but his form picked up quickly and he ended up having another superb season for the Foxes.Maguire is definitely Southgate’s no.1 choice at the heart of defence but he will have the stern test of dealing with Dutch winger Depay.4

Depay has five goals in six matches for Holland

Depay has had a great season for Lyon, racking up ten goals and ten assists as his side finished third in Ligue 1.The tricky winger always seem to play well for his national side too, having scored five times in his six outings for Koeman’s men.

---

Jason McAteer was sent off during a Star Sixes event after kicking Michael Owen on Sunday evening. The former Liverpool stars were involved in an off-the ball clash which saw Owen also kick out at the former Republic of Ireland international.
Former Liverpool stars Michael Owen and Jason McAteer kick

---

How Manchester United should line up vs Barcelona FC. Man Utd travel to Barcelona for the Champions League quarter final second leg and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a defensive decision to make.
Huddersfield vs Man United: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Best

---

MANCHESTER UNITED'S crushing win in opposition to Cardiff proved the squad stopped taking part in for Jose Mourinho, claims Ray Parlour. United chief Ed Woodward took motion after one other poor exhibiting at Liverpool and sacked Mourinho after the membership's worst ever begin to a Premier League marketing campaign.
20+ Manchester United Wins All Pictures and Ideas on Carver

---

Chelsea transfer news: Maurizio Sarri set to make £70m offer

---

Cesar Azpilicueta has signed a new four-year deal at Chelsea, keeping him at Stamford Bridge until 2022. Chelsea announced on Tuesday morning that the Spain international, who has captained them
Cesar Azpilicueta Signs New Four Year Deal At Chelsea

---

Manchester City news: Premier League champions under investigation for potential breaches of Financial Fair Play regulations German magazine Der Spiege has made a serious of allegations over the
Manchester City under FFP investigation: UEFA confirms

---

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk poses with his PFA Player of the Year award Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk in action against Manchester City. Photo credit should read Gareth Fuller/PA Wire.
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk to be crowned PFA Players

---

Chelsea offer N'Golo Kante new contract worth £290k-a-week to keep midfielder from clutches of PSG France star would become the Blues' best-paid player and earn around £70k a week more than
N'Golo Kante Signs New 5-Year Contract at Chelsea | Bleacher

---

Tottenham fans react on Twitter to Phil Jones interest reports. Jones is out of contract at Manchester United at the end of the season. The report adds that Spurs and Arsenal are both
PSG join Arsenal and Tottenham in race forMan United's Eric

---

Fantasy Premier League tips: Transfer advice for Gameweek 34

---

Chelsea fans loved Eden Hazard's defence splitting pass for Belgium against Iceland. The Stamford Bridge ace's incredible vision led to Michy Batshuayi scoring the opener in the Nations League
Chelsea fans loved Eden Hazard's defence splitting pass for

---

Jurgen Klopp told Mario Gotze he may need a hair transplant, Borussia Dortmund ace reveals in hilarious tale Klopp was Gotze's manager at Dortmund between 2009 and 2013, but it wasn't just
Mario Gotze reveals hilarious story about Jurgen Klopp's hair

---

Transfer news and gossip: Huge Real Madrid offer for Manchester United target, Arsenal star 'agrees deal' with Juventus, Alvaro Morata returning to Spain.
~ Transfer news and gossip: Real Madrid's huge offer for

---