Serbia vs Netherlands – News and Probable Lineups

Both teams are aiming to secure their first wins of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League season as Serbia and a revamped Netherlands side meet at Stadion Rajko Mitic in Belgrade on Sunday afternoon.

The Eagles are seeking redemption after suffering a last-minute defeat against Greece earlier this week, while the Oranje look to build on their encouraging draw with Germany on Thursday night.

Match overview

Following friendly defeats to Cape Verde (0-3) and co-hosts Mexico (1-5) in May and June, respectively, Serbia finds themselves on a three-match losing streak after their Nations League opener against Greece on Thursday.

PAOK winger Andrija Zivkovic scored only his second-ever senior goal for the Eagles, putting the hosts ahead in the fourth minute, but second-half goals from Arsenal’s Christos Tzolis and Anastasios Douvikas from Como secured the win for the visitors.

Pressure is mounting on Serbia’s head coach Veljko Paunovic, with the former Atletico Madrid player recording just two victories in his seven matches at the helm, losing five matches.

As demonstrated again in Belgrade on Thursday, the Eagles have been struggling defensively during critical moments, with the hosts currently on a 10-match run without a clean sheet since September 2025.

Placed in a competitive group with Germany, the Netherlands, and a talented Greek squad, Serbia will have their work cut out to avoid being relegated from League A for the 2028-29 season.

The atmosphere is buzzing around the Netherlands following the arrival of Barcelona legend Xavi, who replaced Ronald Koeman as manager. The 46-year-old had a commendable start to his tenure in Amsterdam on Thursday night.

It was a slow start for the Oranje in the first half, enabling Germany to take an early advantage through midfielder Felix Nmecha from Borussia Dortmund. However, second-half performance saw them equalize in stoppage time thanks to Cody Gakpo.

Since a 1-0 friendly loss to AFCON contenders Algeria in early June, the Netherlands have enjoyed an unbeaten streak of six matches (W3 D3) in normal time, although this record doesn’t erase the pain of their World Cup penalty shootout exit to Morocco on June 30.

The Oranje have developed an unfortunate trend of exiting tournaments via penalties, with the ninth-ranked FIFA nation bowing out to Spain in the quarter-finals of the 2024-25 Nations League.

Despite their geographical proximity, Serbia and the Netherlands last clashed back in June 2006, when an Arjen Robben goal secured a World Cup win for Marco van Basten’s squad in Leipzig, Germany.

Team News

Serbia has been dealt a significant injury blow ahead of the ongoing international break, as their key striker Dusan Vlahovic has withdrawn due to a calf injury.

The Eagles will be less dangerous in attack without the Besiktas forward, although Dusan Tadic and Luka Jovic remain effective options in the attacking lineup.

Winger Mihajlo Cvetkovic, who was substituted at halftime during the defeat to Greece, might not retain his place in the starting XI this weekend.

The Netherlands will be without Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey for the rest of this international window due to a hamstring strain sustained on Thursday night.

Oranje did not call up their all-time leading scorer Memphis Depay for this match window, meaning that Mexx Meerdink could potentially receive his first international cap as Brobbey’s replacement this weekend.

Crysenio Summerville and Tijjani Reijnders seem to have maintained their spots in the starting lineup despite moving from English football to the Saudi Pro League.

Serbia probable starting XI

V Milinkovic-Savic; Simic, Erakovic, Pavlovic, Kostic; Zivkovic, Maksimovic, S Milinkovic-Savic, Lukic; Jovic, Tadic

Netherlands probable starting XI

Bridge; Dumfries, Van Hecke, Van Dijk, Van de Ven; Gravenberch, Veerman, Summerville, Reijnders, Gakpo; Meerdink

After a narrow defeat to Greece on Thursday, Serbia’s confidence is low, and they may face another challenging fixture in Belgrade.

The Netherlands, having already earned a point, will be favored to secure their first win under Xavi this weekend.