Expected lineup Netherlands vs Japan: Donyell Malen or Memphis Depay? | "It’s going to be Depay"

The first group match against Japan is on the schedule, which means speculating about the starting lineup. Between the lines, it now seems to be noticeable that it will not be Donyell Malen but Memphis Depay who will be starting against Japan.

No surprises are expected under the bar because Bart Verbruggen is fit again after his bruising to the hip. That would mean that Verbruggen will 'simply' be under the bar on Sunday evening. The goalkeeper of Brighton & Hove Albion was injured against Uzbekistan after an unfortunate landing, after which he trained individually for a few days.

Last Friday, Verbruggen took part again for the first time in the group training session after Koeman earlier expressed hope and expectation that his first-choice goalkeeper would make it for the match against Japan. The expectation is that national team coach Ronald Koeman will not go making many surprises for Memphis Depay.

Donyell Malen failed to make an impression in recent days and weeks during the past international friendlies, and according to several Oranje-watchers, that may well ensure that Koeman still sticks with his favorite player. In other words: again the often deadwearing Memphis Depay. Turnover after turnover, dropping back into midfield to collect the ball only to lose it again. The self-pitying attitude—it's all going to come back around in the coming weeks.

Playing and acting as if you are a very special footballer—that is Memphis Depay to the core. The most exhausting player of the European Championship in Germany is, after all, enjoying a lot of confidence from Ronald Koeman, but whether that is justified, let’s leave that in the middle. Scoring in big matches, at least, has been something Depay has done for years now.

Also Crysencio Summerville can normally be allowed to start by Koeman. The winger for West Ham United is for the first time part of the Oranje squad and played against Algeria and Uzbekistan reasonably. Voetbal International journalist Martijn Krabbendam, also an Oranje watcher, thinks Depay may well be among the ones to make an appearance at the start.

The suspected lineup of Oranje: Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Hecke, Van Dijk, Van de Ven; De Jong, Gravenberch, Reijnders; Summerville, Memphis, Gakpo.