World Cup 2022: Group A preview, odds and tips as hosts Qatar kick-off competition

The 2022 World Cup kicks off with Group A as hosts Qatar take on Ecuador on Sunday. The Netherlands kick-off their World cup campaign on Monday against Senegal. Senegal and Ecuador are favourites to win the group. Qatar are ranked 50th in the world and are tipped for a group stage campaign to forget.

Netherlands are the favourites at 4/9 with Betfred to win Group A. Head coach Louis van Gaal is in his third stint as Oranje boss. He guided his national team to third-place in the 2014 World Cup.

Sadio Mane is still in Senegal's squad despite suffering a leg injury. The African Cup of Nations champions are 9/2 to win the competition.

Ecuador are 11/2 to win the group and are expected to have an exciting contest with Senegal to secure second place and qualify to the round of 16. La Tri qualified for 2002, 2006 and 2014 World Cups. They have only managed to get out of the first group stage once.

Qatar are the hosts of the World Cup in 2022. They are 10/1 to win the group and 7/2 to qualify.

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