Kick-off: 1600, 25/11/2022
Stadium: Khalifa International Stadium
TV: ITV
Netherlands made a solid start on their return to the World Cup stage and can take a big step towards winning Group A by beating Ecuador.
Both teams were 2-0 winners in their opening game but the Dutch had a much tougher test against Senegal than Ecuador had in the tournament opener against Qatar.
The Dutch were always expected to dominate this group and can make it two wins from two at 4/5 as our opening Netherlands vs Ecuador prediction.
Netherlands Odds
Netherlands faced a tricky test in their opening game but goals from Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen sealed a 2-0 win over African champions Senegal.
They survived a few scares before breaking the deadlock with six minutes of normal time to go as Frenkie De Jong swung in a ball from the left and Gakpo beat Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to it to head home.
It was no less than the PSV Eindhoven man deserved after an impressive performance and the Dutch sealed victory in the final seconds when Mendy spilled a shot from Memphis Depay and substitute Klaassen followed up to slot home the rebound.
That was a third successive clean sheet for the Netherlands, who also shut out Poland and Belgium in the Nations League in September.
Coach Louis van Gaal said: “We were shoddy and messy in possession but we gave away very little.
“We gave away very few chances but I wasn’t satisfied with ball possession on our side, we were inaccurate and ran with the ball too much.”
The big issue for this squad is a lack of firepower, especially while Depay is not at full fitness, so another victory and under 2.5 goals appeals at 27/10 in the Netherlands vs Ecuador odds.
Ecuador Odds
Enner Valencia was the hero as his two goals ensured a winning start for Ecuador to spoil the party for hosts Qatar.
Valencia had an early header ruled out by a marginal offside call but made no mistake from the penalty spot in the 15th minute after being brought down by goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb.
The former West Ham and Everton man doubled the lead half an hour in with a header from Angelo Preciado’s whipped cross so Ecuador will be desperately hoping the striker recovers from the injury that forced him off after the break.
Even if he is fit, coming up against the likes of Virgil van Dijk will be a very different proposition and a 1-0 Dutch win at 21/4 completes our Netherlands vs Ecuador betting tips.
Additional stats
Last result:
Qatar 0-2 ECUADOR – Valencia (2, inc 1 pen)
NETHERLANDS 2-0 Senegal – Gakpo, Klaasen
Head-to-head: Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador, Netherlands 1-0 Ecuador
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