Betting tips for Senegal vs Netherlands: World Cup preview and odds

Belfast Telegraph

21 November 2022

The Netherlands, after missing out on the 2018 World Cup, will be eager to make a statement when they kick off their 2022 campaign against Senegal on Monday.

The Senegalese head to Qatar in a confident mood after winning the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year and they will be hoping to better their group-stage World Cup exit in Russia.

Drawn in Group A with the Dutch, Qatar and Ecuador, Senegal cannot be overlooked for a spot in the last 16, although topping the section looks a big ask.

The Netherlands are heavily fancied to breeze through the group after showing major improvement since Louis van Gaal returned to the dugout.

Since the former Manchester United boss took the national side’s reins for the third time in August last year, they are unbeaten, winning 11 of 15 fixtures – including victories over Belgium and Denmark.

Senegal vs Netherlands betting tips

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

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Oranje to make bright start

The Netherlands could be dark horses to go all the way at the 2022 World Cup when assessing their form since the return of Van Gaal.

They have a good balance of youth and experience and the boss is well stocked in most areas if he needs to switch things up.

Van Gaal has already been hit by the news that Memphis Depay, who was the top scorer during qualifying, will not be available for this clash but he has several other options and formations to consider as he looks to fill that void.

Even without Depay, the Dutch should comfortably come through this game, especially since Senegal are without star man Sadio Mane for the entire tournament.

He helped fire Senegal to the Africa Cup of Nations crown last year and they are unlikely to pose a huge threat in the final third without the Bayern Munich ace.

With that in mind, the Netherlands should be able to repel anything the Lions of Teranga have to offer in this group opener – and a victory to nil looks a very attractive option.

Tip: Netherlands to win to nil @ 13/10 with Paddy Power

Goals on the cards in Doha

Van Gaal has instilled plenty of attacking belief in his squad and they have delivered with goals in his 15 games in charge, registering 41 times.

They have scored at least two goals in 11 of those fixtures, hitting at least four on five occasions and twice scoring six.

There is little to suggest they are showing signs of slowing and that could be a major problem for Senegal, despite previously showing solidity at the back.

Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy tend to orchestrate things but the pair have struggled for form domestically – and that may become a problem for Senegal.

Sticking with the earlier prediction that the Senegalise will fail to score, it seems fair enough to suggest that the Netherlands are good for at least two goals to cover the -1 handicap.

Tip: Netherlands -1 handicap @ 8/5 with Paddy Power

De Jong can step up

Our final tip is a bet-builder selection. We have picked Luuk de Jong to score, Kalidou Koulibaly to be carded and over 1.5 goals.

With Depay missing, Van Gaal is expected to turn to De Jong to lead the line after he impressed during the qualifying campaign.

The PSV forward only featured in three games, totalling 188 minutes, but he scored three times and has proved he is capable of stepping in when required.

The second leg of the bet-builder selection requires Koulibaly to receive a card.

He is certain to start, but unlikely to be 100 per cent match-fit after only recently returning to action for Chelsea after injury.

Koulibaly started in the defeat to Manchester City in the EFL Cup and a loss to Newcastle in the Premier League and picked up a yellow card in both fixtures.

Indeed, he has collected four cautions in just nine Premier League appearances for the Blues this term and seven in 16 outings across all competitions.

Over 1.5 goals has landed in 13 of the 15 games since Van Gaal took charge and looks like it should be comfortably achieved once again.

Tip: Luuk de Jong to score any time, Kalidou Koulibaly to be carded and over 1.5 goals @ 9/1 with Paddy Power