Senegal vs Netherlands – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Senegal vs Netherlands on and what time does it start? Senegal vs Netherlands will take place on Monday 21st November, 2022 – 16:00 (UK)
Where is Senegal vs Netherlands taking place? Senegal vs Netherlands will take place at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar
Where can I get tickets for Senegal vs Netherlands? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Senegal vs Netherlands
What channel is Senegal vs Netherlands on in the UK? Senegal vs Netherlands will be televised live on ITV
Where can I stream Senegal vs Netherlands in the UK? Senegal vs Netherlands can be streamed live on the ITV Hub
THE LOWDOWN
SENEGAL
- Senegal’s two previous World Cup appearances led to a contrast in fortunes, going out in the group stage most recently in 2018, but reaching the quarter-finals back in 2022 which included that memorable 0-1 victory against reigning world champions France in the opening match of the tournament.
- However, the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations winners were dealt a savage blow with the news that talisman Sadio Mane has been ruled out of the entire World Cup through an injury sustained playing for Bayern Munich.
NETHERLANDS
- Netherlands were one of the shock omissions from the 2018 FIFA World Cup after failing to qualify for the tournament, but they return in 2022 back under the command of esteemed head coach Louis Van Gaal, who led them to a third-place finish in 2014.
- Van Gaal has confirmed that key attacker Memphis Depay will not start against Senegal, whilst right-wing-back Denzel Dumfries was forced off the pitch due to a knee injury in his final game for club side Inter Milan this past weekend before the World Cup, although he has since trained with the Netherlands squad.
THE TEAM NEWS
SENEGAL
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Mendy; Sabaly, Koulibaly, Diallo, Ballo-Toure; Kouyate, Mendy, Gueye; I. Sarr, Diedhiou, Dia
UNAVAILABLE: Mane (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
NETHERLANDS
PREDICTED XI (3-4-1-2): Bijlow; Blind, van Dijk, Timber; Dumfries, de Jong, de Roon, Ake; Gakpo; Janssen, Bergwijn
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Depay (Fitness)
THE KEY STATS
- Three players in the Dutch squad have participated at the World Cup previously. They are, Daley Blind, Memphis Depay and Stefan de Vrij
- Senegal started their tournament with a win in each of their previous two World Cups, firstly their famous triumph over France in 2002 and latterly a 2-1 victory against Poland in their first group game at Russia 2018
- Senegal have lost only two of their previous eight FIFA World Cup matches (W3 D3)
- Senegal have lost only one of their previous five FIFA World Cup matches against European opposition (W3 D1)
- Senegal have lost only one of their previous six World Cup group stage matches (W2 D3)
- Senegal have not kept a clean sheet in their last seven FIFA World Cup matches
- Aliou Cisse is the coach of Senegal at a second successive World Cup, he also captained the nation in 2002, their only other appearance at the finals
- Seven of Senegal’s squad for the 2022 finals were also in their squad at Russia 2018
- The Netherlands are unbeaten in their last 15 international matches (W11 D4), all since Louis van Gaal was appointed coach in August 2021. Their last defeat was against Czechia in June 2021 at EURO 2020.
- The Netherlands have only failed to score in one of their last 28 international matches
- Excluding penalty shoot-outs, the Netherlands have lost only one of their last 14 FIFA World Cup matches (W11 D2)
- Remarkably, the Netherlands have only ever lost two out of 30 group stage matches at the FIFA World Cup (this includes first and second group stage). The only teams to have defeated the Dutch in group matches are Scotland (1978) and Belgium (1994)
- The Netherlands are unbeaten in their last 13 group stage matches at the FIFA World Cup (W10 D3), and are currently on a six-match winning streak in the group stage
- The Netherlands have not lost their opening game at a FIFA World Cup final tournament since 1938 when they were defeated in the first round by Czechoslovakia, their opening match record since then is W6 D2 L0
- The Netherlands have not conceded a goal in their last three World Cup matches. This is their joint best sequence of clean sheets, matching a run of three games in 1974
- At the age of 71 years and 105 days, Louis van Gaal will be the third oldest coach in World Cup history when he takes charge of the Netherlands in this match
- Louis van Gaal was the coach when the Netherlands finished third at Brazil 2014. The only other person to coach the Dutch at two World Cup is Bob Glendenning (ENG) who was in charge in 1934 and 1938
THE PREDICTION
It is impossible to understate the significance of Mane’s absence from this Senegal side. He was their lynchpin, their superstar and key to unlocking opposition defences. Without him, it’s more than likely that Aliou Cisse’s side will struggle offensively, especially here against Netherlands who are expected to be among the strongest teams in the tournament from a defensive perspective. Notoriously well-drilled under Van Gaal, Netherlands should dominate large portions of this game, although Senegal themselves won’t prove easy to break down with the likes of Koulibaly among their backline. However, the overriding quality of Netherlands should see them do enough to edge this one and makes them worth backing to overcome the reigning African champions.
TIP: NETHERLANDS TO WIN
