Coral’s Netherlands and Spain combined XI ahead of World Cup rematch

Ahead of the Netherlands’ prestige friendly against Spain, Coral football experts have come up with a combined XI. La Roja are narrow 7/5 favourites to win in Amsterdam, with a Dutch victory at 2/1. Who is included? Read on below to see!

Goalkeeper: David de Gea
Spain and Manchester United stopper De Gea will surely get some action for La Roja here with Iker Casillas playing against Ukraine last time out. The Dutch keeping contingent are nothing special, Tim Krul apart, but he has endured an injury interrupted campaign. Vicente del Bosque’s boys are 15/8 to keep a clean sheet.

Right back: Daryl Janmaat
Newcastle United right back Janmaat holds hope of benefiting from rotation by Clockwork Orange coach Guus Hiddink to feature here, after PSG counterpart Gregory van der Wiel played last time out. Juanfran Torres and Dani Carvajal cannot boast as many league assists as half a dozen from Premier League player Janmaat.

Centre back: Sergio Ramos
Spain centurion Ramos’ rugged defending may not make him popular, but he’s essential to be included. No other option at the back in either squad has anything like as much experience as the Real Madrid vice-captain.

Centre back: Gerard Pique
Ramos’ partner in crime Pique is the only Barcelona representative in our XI. A disappointing defensive display against Turkey by Dutch pair Stefan de Vrij and Bruno Martins Indi, who both earned summer moves off the back of their World Cup exploits, means the Nou Camp centre back gets the nod.

Left back: Jetro Willems
PSV Eindhoven attacking outlet Willems is still just 21 and has the most assists in the Eredivisie with 11. With Spain’s Jordi Alba sitting this one out, and fellow youngster Juan Bernat having nothing like that return for Bayern Munich, he was the obvious choice for this flank of defence.

Central midfield: Cesc Fabregas
Chelsea capture Fabregas has quite simply set up more goals than any other Premier League player this term by some distance. It would be madness not to include him in our XI. Andres Iniesta is ageing and Jonathan de Guzman has struggled since switching Swansea for Napoli.

Fabregas is closing in on a century of caps, edges out impressive box-to-box Dutch international Georginino Wijnaldum here, and is a tasty 10/3 to net anytime.

Defensive midfield: Daley Blind
Versatile Man Utd summer signing Blind played at left back for Clockwork Orange against Turkey, but has produced noteworthy performances as an anchorman at Old Trafford. Compatriot Nigel de Jong is a blunt instrument, while Feyenoord’s Jordy Clasie remains in the up-and-coming category. Sergio Busquets is seen as something of a villain by Coral experts and Mario Suarez lacks international experience.

Central midfield: Santi Cazorla
Arsene Wenger has used playmaker Cazorla slightly deeper at Arsenal in recent weeks to great effect. A dozen assists from the Spaniard is a superb return, and gets him in ahead of Wesley Sneijder and he also edges out compatriot Koke, who may be rested for this friendly.

Right wing: Isco
Competition is cut-throat in the front three, but Real Madrid’s rejuvenated attacker Isco gets the nod ahead of Barcelona fringe player Pedro, and a crop of young Dutch wingers headed by prolific PSV Eindhoven starlet Memphis Depay. These wide berths are about assists first and foremost, and Isco has 13 for Los Blancos across all competitions.

Striker: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Schalke striker Huntelaar came to the Netherlands’ rescue last time out, diverting in Sneijder’s shot to steal a point from their home Euro 2016 qualifier with Turkey. A hugely healthy international return of 39 goals in 70 caps makes this centre forward superb value in an enhanced 9/2 wincast for the Spain game. Please note there is a maximum stake of £20 on this bet.

Left wing: David Silva
Silky Spaniard Silva is having his best ever scoring season with 11 Premier League strikes to his name for Manchester City. Odds of 2/1 say he shall carry that club form over to his country anytime.