Netherlands have won all seven previous meetings with Malta, scoring 36 goals and conceding zero. Of all 37 nations the Oranje have faced seven or more times, only against Wales and Cyprus do they also boast a 100% record.
Malta vs Netherlands preview
After a difficult September double-header, will Netherlands move three points closer to World Cup qualification? Last month, Holland were first held to a 1-1 draw by Poland at De Kuip, taking an early lead through Denzel Dumfries, only for Matty Cash to spectacularly equalise late on in Rotterdam. Three days later, Ronald Koeman's side almost embarrassingly slipped up in Kaunas. They raced into an early 2-0 lead, only for Lithuania to fight back and make it 2-2, only for Memphis' to snatch victory, becoming his country's all-time leading scorer, breaking Robin van Persie's record, in the process.
As a result, Netherlands have ten points out of a possible 12 in Group G, level on points with Poland, who they face in a decider in Warsaw next month. Thus, the Oranje are under pressure to keep on winning, albeit they are likely to leave Grawnd Nazzjonali with all three points, having demolished Malta 8-0 in Groningen when the pair met in June.
The Dutch failed to qualify for both Euro 2016 and Russia 2018, so are still somewhat scarred by that double major tournament exile, albeit they were quarter-finalists in Qatar and semi-finalists at last summer's Euros. Thus, most would expect Koeman's team to be competitive in North America, but they need to rubber stamp top spot first, likely to move three points closer to that goal here.
That's because Malta have, you won't be surprised to learn, never qualified for a major tournament, winning only seven of 237 qualification fixtures since their first in 1962. That 8-0 annihilation in the reverse fixture at Euroborg was their biggest defeat since losing against the same opposition by the same scoreline back in 1990; Marco van Basten scoring five for the Dutch in Ta' Qali back then.
Emilio De Leo's side though do have two points to their name in this group, holding Lithuania to a pair of draws. Last time out, Alexander Satariano had seemingly snatched a famous victory at Darius and Girėnas Stadium, only for the hosts to heartbreakingly equalise in the 96th minute. This leaves the Reds winless in 19 qualifiers, dating back to a 3-0 victory over Cyprus four years ago, and that streak is not going to end when the Netherlands visit on Thursday.
Malta vs Netherlands head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 7.
- Malta Wins: Zero. Draws: Zero. Netherlands Wins: 7.
Malta team news
Right-back Zach Muscat, winger Paul Mbong and midfielder Jake Azzopardi are all suspended; the former pair picked up their second yellow cards of the campaign against Lithuania, while the latter was sent off in Kaunas.
Wigan Athletic centre-back James Carragher has not been called up this time, having made his international debut earlier this year, but Jodi Jones of Notts County is in contention.
Malta predicted lineup vs Netherlands: (4-5-1): Bonello; Muscat, Pepe, Shaw, Beerman; Guillaumier, Satariano, Teuma, P Mbong, J Mbong; Chouaref.
Malta player to watch vs Netherlands
Teddy Teuma of Stade Reims is Malta's most talented player, looking to add to his four international goals, so can he lead them to an historic upset?
Netherlands team news
Ronald Koeman has not called up Matthijs de Ligt, Jorrel Hato, Mats Wieffer nor Quinten Timber, but does have an array of options from which to choose.
Despite Jurriën Timber's outstanding performances for Arsenal, the more attacking Denzel Dumfries will keep his place at right-back, with Tottenham's Micky van de Ven on the opposite side.
Further forward, Ryan Gravenberch and Frenkie de Jong will return to midfield, alongside Tijjani Reijnders, while Xavi Simons will keep his place in the front three.
Netherlands predicted lineup vs Malta: (4-3-3): Verbruggen; Dumfries, van Dijk, van Hecke, van de Ven; Gravenberch, de Jong, Reijnders; Simons, Gakpo, Memphis.
Netherlands player to watch vs Malta
Despite reportedly having his passport stolen, Memphis has made the long journey from São Paulo to Malta in time to feature. He took his tally to 52 international goals last month, now his country's leading scorer of all time, so will he add to the two he bagged against Malta in Groningen in June?
Malta vs Netherlands prediction
We expect the Dutch to run riot at Grawnd Nazzjonali, perhaps not managing the eight they racked up four months ago, but very much putting Malta to the sword: Malta 0-5 Netherlands.
Malta vs Netherlands FAQs - World Cup qualifier
How to watch Malta vs Netherlands in World Cup qualification on TV channel?
Malta vs Netherlands in World Cup qualification will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video PPV - £2.49.
- USA: Fox Sports & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Malta vs Netherlands in World Cup qualification on live streaming?
Malta vs Netherlands in World Cup qualification will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video PPV - £2.49.
- USA: Foxsports.com & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Malta vs Netherlands in World Cup qualification?
Malta vs Netherlands takes place on Thursday 9 October 2025, with kick off at 19:45 (BST), 14:45 (EDT) & 11:45 (PDT).