Kick-off: 1600, 21/11/2022
Stadium: Al Thumama Stadium
TV: ITV
Senegal have been rocked by Sadio Mane’s injury ahead of facing Netherlands and could now adopt a safety-first approach to their 2022 World Cup opener.
With Ecuador and hosts Qatar being the other two sides competing in Group A, this pair will expect to progress if doing nothing silly.
That means both managers may settle for a Doha stalemate and 14/5 for such an outcome is our first Senegal vs Netherlands prediction.
Senegal Odds
Senegal are through to their third World Cup tournament, having reached the quarter-finals in 2002 prior to going out at the group stage four years ago.
They performed with credit at Russia 2018, though, beating Poland and drawing with Japan before losing 1-0 to Colombia.
The Lions of Teranga will travel to Qatar full of confidence, having claimed a first major trophy with victory at this year’s delayed African Cup of Nations.
Senegal had two draws in the pool stage of that tournament before eventually beating Egypt on penalties in the final.
Aliou Cisse’s side are becoming accustomed to tight tussles, after again edging out the Pharaohs via spot-kicks in the final round of CAF qualifiers.
Losing star Mane is a major blow, with the ex-Liverpool ace suffering an injury to his right fibula when playing for Bayern Munich.
His former Anfield teammate Virgil van Dijk said: “I am feeling sad for him, first and foremost. I’m not happy in this case as I’ve been in that situation where I missed the Euros.
“We as players work so hard to get to this stage and he has been such an important figure in that group for their country.
“I know for a fact that he will put a brave face on it, but it’s tough and I feel sorry for him.”
However, Cisse can still call on proven performers with experience of playing for major European clubs, including the Chelsea duo of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
Everton’s Idrissa Gueye and Cheikhou Kouyate of Nottingham Forest will compete in midfield and are part of a strong and experienced spine.
Looking at the 11/10 for a draw at half-time appeals.
Netherlands Odds
Netherlands have been World Cup runners-up on three occasions and were third in Brazil in 2014, so failing to qualify for Russia 2018 was a huge blow.
The Dutch must have feared the worst when losing their opening Qatar 2022 qualifier 4-2 versus Turkey in Istanbul.
However, they avenged that defeat in style when winning the return fixture 6-1 as part of a nine-match unbeaten run, which included seven victories.
That was good enough to finish two points clear of Turkey and five ahead of Norway.
There have also been some encouraging exploits at Euro 2020 and in the Nations League, with Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and Barcelona forward Memphis Depay the key figures.
In charge of a team which has a useful blend of youth and experience is Louis van Gaal, who led Holland to the semis eight years ago.
Veteran boss Van Gaal understands that you don’t have to dominate every battle to win the war, though, and he is set to begin with Depay on the bench following injury issues.
A steady start should suffice here and 13/2 for a 1-1 scoreline completes our Senegal vs Netherlands betting tips.
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