The Netherlands and Montenegro will face each other for the very first time when they do battle at the Philips Stadion for the fifth match of their World Cup Qualifying campaign in Group G.

Both nations have identical records from their first four games, claiming seven points, with the hosts only sitting above the visitors on goal difference.

Match preview

Returning for his third spell in the dugout as the Dutch national team coach, Louis van Gaal was unable to get off to a winning start as his side played out a 1-1 draw in Norway on Wednesday night.

Erling Braut Haaland continued his strong start to the season in front of goal, as the 'Striking Viking' poked in the opening goal for the Norwegians in the 20th minute, however the Netherlands responded when Davy Klaassen tapped in the equaliser from close range 16 minutes later.

Group G is now shaping up to be one of the most competitive groups in the European qualifiers, with just one point separating the top four nations. The Dutch missed the chance to climb to the top of the group in midweek but with Montenegro claiming a point against group leaders Turkey, the gap to the summit remains only one point.

The Netherlands have an impressive record in World Cup qualifiers under the management of Van Gaal, losing just one of their last 18 matches.

Two important home fixtures against Montenegro on Saturday and Turkey next Tuesday are now to come for the Oranje, and expectations are high for them to claim six points, which would put them in the driving seat at the end of this current international break.

Montenegro have surprised many during the qualifiers so far and claimed another impressive result on Wednesday when they rescued a 2-2 draw away in Turkey.

Goals from Cengiz Under and Yusuf Yazici gave the hosts a two-goal lead after half an hour, however the visitors pulled one back five minutes before half time through Lazio's Adam Marusic, before substitute Risto Radunovic scored a dramatic 97th-minute equaliser.

The Brave Falcons have claimed seven points from their first four matches, nearly half as many as the 16 they accumulated in 10 qualifiers for the 2018 tournament.

Montenegro head into their game in the Netherlands with a poor record against nations ranked in the top 12 by FIFA, losing five of their last six games and conceding 19 goals in the process.

If they are to qualify for their first major tournament in their 14-year history as an independent nation, then claiming points on Saturday could be crucial for Miodrag Radulovic's side.

Team News

Van Gaal decided to switch from his trusted 3-5-2 formation to a 4-3-3 system on Wednesday, which saw centre-back Virgil van Dijk return to the starting lineup alongside Stefan de Vrij; both players are set to remain at the heart of the defence this weekend.

Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow was handed his international debut against Norway and he is set to remain as Van Gaal's number one ahead of experienced stopper Tim Krul.

After scoring in midweek, Klaassen will be hoping he can keep his place in central midfield ahead of Marten de Roon and Ryan Gravenberch, who were both unused substitutes in Oslo.

Memphis Depay is expected to start as the central striker and the Barcelona man could be joined in attack by Cody Gakpo and Steven Berghuis, though Donyell Malen, Steven Bergwijn and Wout Weghorst will also be pushing for a place in the first XI.

As for Montenegro, Radulovic is unlikely to make too many changes to the side that drew with Turkey in midweek.

With former Manchester City forward Stevan Jovetic pulling out of the squad due to injury, Uros Durdevic and Drasko Bozovic – who started the last game – are expected to lead the line in attack once again.

Marusic and Sead Haksabanovic will likely provide width from the flanks, while the central midfield partnership between Aleksandar Scekic and Nebojsa Kosovic is set to remain intact on Saturday.

Netherlands possible starting lineup:
Bijlow; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Blind; Klaassen, De Jong, Wijnaldum; Berghuis, Depay, Gakpo

Montenegro possible starting lineup:
Mijatovic; Vesovic, Savic, Vujacic, Tomasevic; Marucic, Scekic, Kosovic, Haksabanovic; Bosovic, Durdevic

We say: Netherlands 2-0 Montenegro

With Turkey expected to beat Gibraltar on Saturday, a win for the Netherlands or Montenegro is unlikely to see them climb to the summit of Group G.

However, three points secured for either side at the Philips Stadion would put them in a stronger position to finish in one of the top two qualification places.

The hosts will be the favourites to come out on top this weekend and we cannot see them having too many problems on home soil.