Liam Duckstein
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Serbia host the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday 27 September 2026, and the headline selection question surrounds one absentee rather than a raft of them: Brian Brobbey’s unavailability for the Dutch is the main talking point as both predicted lineups take shape. Serbia, by contrast, have a full squad to choose from, so the focus falls on how Xavi reshuffles his attack rather than who forces its way into an already settled Serbian XI.
Serbia Predicted XI
Serbia are projected in a 4-2-3-1, the shape favoured by coach Veljko Paunovic. It is a settled side – 10 of the projected XI started their last match, underlining how little rotation is expected here. Sergej Milinković-Savić anchors midfield after starting the only match used for this projection, while Vanja Dragojević is included despite not starting that game, making his inclusion the one genuine selection question in an otherwise consistent XI.
Serbia predicted XI: Vanja Milinković-Savić; Strahinja Pavlovic, Filip Kostić, Nikola Simić, Strahinja Erakovic; Nemanja Maksimović, Andrija Živković, Mihajlo Cvetkovic, Sergej Milinković-Savić, Vanja Dragojević; Luka Jovic
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 1 | Last 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 23 | Vanja Milinković-Savić | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 3 | Strahinja Pavlovic | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 11 | Filip Kostić | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 13 | Nikola Simić | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 16 | Strahinja Erakovic | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 5 | Nemanja Maksimović | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 14 | Andrija Živković | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 18 | Mihajlo Cvetkovic | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 20 | Sergej Milinković-Savić | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 4 | Vanja Dragojević | 0/1 | 0/1 |
| F | 8 | Luka Jovic | 1/1 | 1/1 |
Netherlands Predicted XI
The Netherlands are set up in a 4-3-3, the system preferred by coach Xavi. This projection is largely settled, with 8 of the projected XI starting their last match, though the front line shows more flux than the rest of the team. Virgil van Dijk starts at the back after featuring in the only match this projection draws on, while Noa Lang is pencilled into the attack despite not starting that same fixture.
Netherlands predicted XI: Bart Verbruggen; Virgil van Dijk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Micky van de Ven, Denzel Dumfries; Crysencio Summerville, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo; Noa Lang, Mexx Meerdink, Ruben van Bommel
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 1 | Last 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Bart Verbruggen | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 4 | Virgil van Dijk | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 6 | Jan Paul van Hecke | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 15 | Micky van de Ven | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 22 | Denzel Dumfries | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 7 | Crysencio Summerville | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 8 | Ryan Gravenberch | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 11 | Cody Gakpo | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| F | 10 | Noa Lang | 0/1 | 0/1 |
| F | 17 | Mexx Meerdink | 0/1 | 0/1 |
| F | 21 | Ruben van Bommel | 0/1 | 0/1 |
Team News: Who Is Out
For Serbia, no absentees are recorded in the data, leaving Paunovic with a full group to pick from ahead of this expected XI. Should changes be required, Dušan Tadić is the bench option with recent starting minutes, having started in the sole match used for this projection.
Brian Brobbey is out injured for the Netherlands, leaving Xavi to manage his team news without one senior option available to him. Tijjani Reijnders and Quinten Timber both carry a start in the matches used here, making them the likeliest routes back into this expected XI should further changes follow.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Brobbey | injured | Hamstring Injury |
How We Predict These XIs
Each predicted lineup is built from the most recent matches available for that side – one line-up apiece in this instance – with more recent matches weighted more heavily than older ones. Players who are confirmed injured or suspended are removed before the projection is built, which is why Brian Brobbey does not appear in the Netherlands XI above. Because only one match feeds this data for both Serbia and the Netherlands, the projection is tentative and should be read as a starting point rather than a certainty; it will be updated once the official teams are announced.
Read also: Serbia vs Netherlands Prediction: 27.09.2026 UEFA Nations League Preview
Read also: Serbia vs Netherlands Head-to-Head: Record, Stats & Form as of 25 Sep 2026
FAQ
What formation will Serbia and the Netherlands play?
Serbia are projected in a 4-2-3-1 under Veljko Paunovic, while the Netherlands are expected to line up in Xavi’s preferred 4-3-3.
Who is predicted to start in goal for Serbia vs Netherlands?
Vanja Milinković-Savić is projected to start in goal for Serbia, with Bart Verbruggen expected between the posts for the Netherlands.
Who is unavailable for Serbia vs Netherlands?
Serbia have no absentees recorded in the data, while Brian Brobbey is out injured for the Netherlands.
When do Serbia and the Netherlands play?
The UEFA Nations League fixture kicks off on Sunday 27 September 2026.