Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben are both out, but Quincy Promes' first two international goals in the Netherlands' 4-1 win against Belarus augurs well for their 24th meeting with France – the sides have won ten apiece so far.
Meanwhile, the Antoine Griezmann-Kévin Gameiro strike partnership is being touted as Les Bleus' "ultimate weapon" by L'Équipe, the Atlético teammates chiming in with three of Les Bleus' four goals against Bulgaria on Friday. "It works well for us," shrugs Gameiro. It may not be allowed to run so smoothly in Amsterdam.
Group A matches: Netherlands v France, Sweden v Bulgaria, Belarus v Luxembourg.
MIGHTY FAROESE MINNOWS AWAIT RONALDO
Two games, four points, no goals conceded; following Iceland's 'small is beautiful' ethos, the Faroe Islands have made their best ever start to a qualifying campaign, and will offer Portugal a little more resistance in Torshavn than Andorra managed on Friday.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored four in that 6-0 win – including two in the first five minutes – but coach Fernando Santos is expecting a harder test against Lars Olsen's side.
"They have had the same coach for five years and are improving continuously. Portugal are favourites, but the game will be difficult – and it is an artificial pitch," Santos said.
Group B matches: Faroe Islands v Portugal, Latvia v Hungary, Andorra v Switzerland.
RED DEVILS SHARPENING THEIR HORNS
Roberto Martínez's honeymoon period as Belgium coach is in full swing.
A 4-0 defeat of Bosnia and Herzegovina leaving his side with six points, seven goals and none conceded in group H ahead of an eminently winnable game against Gibraltar.
The Red Devils under-performed at Uefa Euro 2016, but are purring now.
"Not only is the scoreline beautiful, but we have also played quite attractive football at times," said former Everton boss Martínez, who withdrew Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard before the end, keeping his main weapons sharp for the trip to Faro.
Group H matches: Gibraltar v Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina v Cyprus, Estonia v Greece.
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