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Serbia vs Netherlands: Oranje attack tests a defence short on answers. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
The Netherlands' strong attacking display against Germany and Serbia's ongoing defensive issues, including a 10-match clean sheet drought, underpin this combined bet. Both teams have scored consistently in 2026, making a Dutch win with goals at both ends a logical expectation despite Dutch finishing inefficiency and key absences.
A 3-1 score fits the Dutch high chance creation and Serbia's defensive frailty, with Serbia likely to score despite missing Vlahovic. The Netherlands' recent matches show frequent high goal totals, supporting this exact score forecast.
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REGISTER FREE & UNLOCK TIP →Already registered? Log in18+ · Historical results only. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Betting involves risk.Compare form, H2H, goals trends and key data for Serbia v Netherlands.
Serbia and the Netherlands meet at Stadion Rajko Mitić on Sunday with neither yet off the mark in the Nations League, but their opening results told rather different stories.
Serbia vs Netherlands — bet365 Market Snapshot
Swipe through key markets with illustrative probabilities and sample bet365 odds based on our match analysis.
Netherlands look stronger on recent form, while Serbia remain vulnerable after weaker results.
Serbia hold the stronger winning edge, while Netherlands still offer enough threat for BTTS.
Netherlands carry the stronger defensive profile, while Serbia remain vulnerable in the likely scoreline.
Netherlands create more chances, leaving Serbia under pressure to match their attacking tempo.
Three Punchy Stats
- Serbia have gone 10 consecutive matches without a clean sheet, a run that becomes particularly uncomfortable before facing a Dutch side that generated 3.18 xG against Germany.
- All five of Serbia's matches in 2026 have produced at least three goals, reflecting a year in which their games have repeatedly escaped defensive control.
- The Netherlands have failed to record a clean sheet in nine matches this year, meaning Serbia should still see opportunities despite their own poor run and the absence of Vlahovic.
Scoring Streaks
Recent attacking records for Serbia and Netherlands are shown below.
Clean Sheet Records
Recent defensive records for Serbia and Netherlands are shown below.
Serbia surrendered an early lead in a 2-1 home defeat to Greece, extending a worrying run of losses and defensive problems. The Netherlands, beginning a new era under Xavi, recovered from a slow start to draw 1-1 with Germany after producing 3.18 expected goals.
That contrast is difficult to ignore. Serbia are conceding regularly and missing Dusan Vlahovic, while Oranje arrive with enough attacking evidence to test those weaknesses even without Brian Brobbey and Memphis Depay.
Serbia's early lead could not hide the bigger problem
Andrija Zivkovic gave Serbia an ideal start against Greece after only four minutes, yet Veljko Paunovic's side could not protect it. Second-half goals from Christos Tzolis and Anastasios Douvikas completed the turnaround, with Greece generating 2.51 xG.
It was Serbia's fourth defeat in five matches during 2026 and their third successive loss following heavy friendly reverses against Cape Verde and Mexico. More concerning for this fixture is the absence of a clean sheet across 10 matches dating back to September 2025.
Every Serbia game this year has also produced at least three goals. That pattern does not guarantee another open contest, but it illustrates how rarely their matches have remained controlled defensively.
Vlahovic's calf injury removes an important attacking option at precisely the point when Serbia need greater efficiency at the other end. Luka Jovic and Dusan Tadic remain available, while Zivkovic has just provided a timely reminder of his scoring threat.
Xavi's first game offered attacking encouragement
The Netherlands had to recover against Germany after Felix Nmecha put the visitors ahead, but their second-half response was substantial enough to earn a late equaliser through Cody Gakpo.
The 3.18 xG generated by Oranje is arguably more revealing than the 1-1 scoreline. It suggests Xavi's first match produced considerably more attacking threat than the solitary goal ultimately reflected.
There is still a clear weakness. The Dutch have failed to keep a clean sheet in nine matches during 2026, so Serbia's own defensive difficulties do not automatically make this a one-sided equation.
The Netherlands have nevertheless gone six matches unbeaten in normal time since losing 1-0 to Algeria, recording three wins and three draws. Their last nine victories have all contained at least three goals, another indication that their successful performances have tended to involve plenty of scoring.
Injuries leave both forward lines reshuffled
The absence of Vlahovic is the major personnel issue for Serbia, while Mihajlo Cvetkovic's half-time withdrawal against Greece could lead to another change. Jovic and Tadic are possible starters together, with Zivkovic also in contention after scoring on Thursday.
Xavi has his own problem at centre-forward. Brobbey's hamstring injury rules him out for the remainder of the international break, while Depay was not selected.
That could open the door for Mexx Meerdink to make his first international start. Cody Gakpo, Crysenio Summerville and Tijjani Reijnders are also possible starters in a side whose attacking output against Germany gives Serbia's vulnerable defence plenty to consider.
Serbia need control more than another fast start
Scoring after four minutes against Greece should have given Serbia something to manage. Instead, another defeat exposed the same broader concern: they are struggling to prevent opponents from creating and converting enough chances to overturn matches.
The Netherlands are not defensively secure themselves, which leaves Serbia a route into the contest. Yet Oranje's chance creation against Germany, combined with Serbia's 10-match wait for a clean sheet, places greater emphasis on whether Paunovic's side can finally limit an opponent rather than simply find a goal of their own.
📊 Market Explainer
Win & Both Teams to Score
Selection: Netherlands to win and both teams to score. The selected team must win in normal time and both teams must score. If the selected team draws or loses, or either side fails to score, the bet loses.
Correct Score Market
Selection: Serbia vs Netherlands 1-3. Predict the exact score at the end of 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalties do not count unless the bookmaker states otherwise.
🎯 Pick 1: Netherlands to win and both teams to score @ 19/10
The Netherlands bring substantial attacking evidence into this fixture after generating 3.18 xG in their 1-1 draw with Germany, while Serbia continue to struggle defensively. Paunovic’s side have failed to keep a clean sheet across 10 consecutive matches dating back to September 2025. That long wait for defensive solidity, combined with Serbia losing four of their five matches in 2026, gives the Dutch win a strong foundation.
The interaction between both defences makes the goal-scoring element of this combined market particularly compelling. Serbia have seen every match in 2026 produce at least three total goals, conceding 2.51 xG to Greece in their recent 2-1 defeat. However, the Netherlands are also without a clean sheet in nine matches during 2026. Despite Dusan Vlahovic missing with a calf injury, Andrija Zivkovic scored after four minutes against Greece, showing that Serbia still possess routes to goal against an Oranje side that conceded to Germany.
The primary risk to this selection lies in the Netherlands’ recent scoring efficiency, as generating 3.18 xG yielded only a single goal against Germany, while Brian Brobbey and Memphis Depay are both unavailable. Nevertheless, with the Dutch unbeaten in six normal-time matches and their last nine victories all featuring three or more total goals, combining an away win with both teams scoring provides a coherent reflection of both teams’ defensive patterns.
🎯 Tactical Indicators
- Serbia have gone 10 consecutive matches without a clean sheet since September 2025.
- The Netherlands generated 3.18 expected goals in their 1-1 draw against Germany.
- Every Serbia fixture in 2026 has featured three or more total goals.
Risk Factor: The selection loses if the Netherlands fail to win or if either team fails to score, given Dutch finishing inefficiency against Germany.
Key Tactical Mismatch
Generated 3.18 xG in opening match against Germany, showing strong forward volume under Xavi.
10 consecutive matches without a clean sheet since September 2025, conceding 2.51 xG in latest home loss to Greece.
⚔️ Pick 2: Serbia vs Netherlands 1-3 @ 9/1
A 3-1 victory for the Netherlands aligns directly with the defensive statistics and chance creation figures recorded by both nations in 2026. The case for three Dutch goals is built on their high chance creation against Germany, where Xavi’s team accumulated 3.18 xG. Serbia’s defensive unit allowed Greece to generate 2.51 xG while conceding twice in Thursday’s 2-1 defeat, extending a sequence of four losses in five outings this year. Furthermore, every Dutch victory across their last nine wins has contained at least three total goals, demonstrating that their successful outings consistently reach high goal totals.
Serbia’s route to a single goal remains credible despite missing Dusan Vlahovic through a calf injury. Paunovic’s team scored inside four minutes against Greece via Andrija Zivkovic, while Luka Jovic and Dusan Tadic provide further starting options. Crucially, the Netherlands have gone nine consecutive matches in 2026 without recording a clean sheet, proving that opponents regularly find ways through their backline regardless of the overall match outcome.
The main threat to a 1-3 final scoreline is the volatile nature of exact-score betting, where a single extra conversion or defensive stand ruins the selection. If the Netherlands replicate their lack of finishing precision against Germany or Serbia fail to capitalize on their early opportunities, the scoreline could easily stop at 2-1 or expand further. However, a 3-1 away win represents a logical alignment of Serbia’s 10-match clean-sheet drought and the visitors’ strong xG output.
Risk Factor: Exact score bets fail if either team scores more or fewer goals than predicted, invalidating the 1-3 outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Netherlands to win and both teams to score" mean?
The Netherlands must win and both teams must score at least one goal each for the bet to win.
Why are the Netherlands favoured to win this Nations League fixture?
The Netherlands have strong chance creation and Serbia have defensive struggles with no clean sheets in 10 matches.
Can Serbia score even though Dusan Vlahovic is injured?
Yes, Serbia scored early against Greece despite Vlahovic's injury, showing other attacking options remain.
How does the Correct Score market work for Serbia vs Netherlands?
You must predict the exact final score after 90 minutes; for 1-3, Serbia score one and Netherlands three goals.
What happens to my bet if the match goes to extra time?
Bets settle on the score at the end of 90 minutes plus stoppage time; extra time does not count.
What is the main difference between Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams to Score?
Over 2.5 Goals requires three or more total goals; BTTS requires both teams to score at least once.
