A draw with Ecuador on matchday two means the Netherlands will be pulling no punches as they look to assure qualification from Group A against Qatar.
On four points, Louis van Gaal’s men need to be in shape for their final group match as defeat to the Qataris could cost them a place in the last 16 if Senegal fare well against Ecuador.
Oranje and the Ecuadorians are tied atop the standings with identical records, so wins for the host nation and the Lions of Teranga mean whichever of the Netherlands and Ecuador has a worse goal difference will drop into third place.
A win for the South Americans means Netherlands are safe whatever their result versus Qatar, but a draw in the other game means that defeat by two goals or more could cost the Dutch a place in the knockouts – goal difference, or even goals scored, could thwart them. But facing the already eliminated Qataris, the Netherlands are in pole position.
Netherlands vs Qatar Betting Tips
Team News
Memphis Depay has twice come off the bench for the Dutch as he recovers from injury, but his fellow attackers are holding the fort well. Cody Gakpo is expected to start in attack with former Tottenham man Steven Bergwijn and either Davy Klaassen or Memphis, while Matthijs de Ligt will be hoping to displace Jurrien Timber at the back.
For Qatar, Mohammed Muntari’s goal after coming on as a substitute against Senegal may ensure he starts the hosts’ final match.
Abdulaziz Hatem also added brightness from the bench following his second-half introduction and could have played his way into manager Felix Sanchez’s starting line-up.
Netherlands -3 Handicap @ 10/3
Qatar’s defence has shipped five goals already in a nightmare start to their home World Cup.
Not only did the Maroons receive the unwanted accolade of becoming the first host nation – out of 23 – to lose their opening game at the tournament, they also crashed out with a game to spare after their 3-1 loss to Senegal and are playing purely for pride against the Dutch.
But with the side tipped to top the group next up, things could still get a whole lot worse for Sanchez’s unit, particularly given that the Netherlands’ own slip-up against Ecuador means they could need to secure a result.
A dead rubber might have meant rotation for the European outfit and some respite for Qatar, but van Gaal’s side could go to town on their opponents in a bid to boost their goal difference.
Cody Gakpo To Score 2 Or More Goals @ 7/2
PSV’s Cody Gakpo has been the standout performer for the Netherlands so far and has to be considered one of the brightest stars from the first two rounds of games.
His two goals up to this point make him an indispensable cog in the Dutch wheel and his manager will be relying on him to deliver once again as progression remains up in the air.
Against a defence accustomed to playing their domestic football in Qatar, the Eredivisie man should find no shortage of opportunities coming his way.
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