Reigning European champions Spain will travel to Amsterdam aiming to avenge the 5-1 demolition they suffered at the hands of the Netherlands at last summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
The Amsterdam ArenA will host a repeat of the 2010 final, as the Dutch, Vicente del Bosque’s La Roja.
Guus Hiddink’s hosts will have no fear against these fellow European heavyweights, having romped to a famous 5-1 triumph over the Spaniards last year, submitting the Iberian outfit to a humiliating group stage defeat.
However, 2010 World Cup winners La Roja, come into this mouth-watering friendly encounter in the better form, having secured a 1-0 Euro 2016 qualifying win over Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Dutch stuttered to a 1-1 draw with Turkey in their latest qualifier; as Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s lucky late leveller earned a vital point.
The form of Clockwork Orange will give their Spanish opponents a boost of confidence, having lost four of the seven games since Hiddink took over from Louis van Gaal last year. There will be nothing friendly about this latest anticipated encounter, with both nations set to name strong starting line-ups.
Robin van Persie scored the pick of Holland’s five goals in the World Cup coup last summer, but is missing through injury this time out, along with Arjen Robben, who also bagged a brilliant brace in that victory.
For the visitors, Bayern Munich’s Juan Bernat is expected to replace injured former Valencia teammate Jordi Alba at left back. Manchester United number one David De Gea, meanwhile, is pushing for a start ahead of a faltering Iker Casillas, so Spain have options.
Del Bosque could also hand debuts to young Malaga marksman Juanmi and Sevilla wideman Vitolo during proceedings.
Juventus hitman Alvaro Morata was the hero on his maiden international start, instinctively securing Spain all three points against Ukraine. The Old Lady’s sprightly attacker in Amsterdam, having done so on his first international start.
The hosts will be hoping Schalke sharpshooter Huntelaar can continue his rampant run of form on home soil, after netting his 16th goal of the season against Turkey when diverting in Welsey Sneijder’s shot.
Prolific Bundesliga poacher Huntelaar is off this game.
Both nations will be keen to end the international break on a high, with Spain seeking to avenge their torrid thrashing in Brazil last year. A repeat of that famous 5-1 scoreline in Brazil is a whopping 200/1 chance to be repeated in Amsterdam.
