Group A of the World Cup started on Sunday, but Monday sees the best two teams in the group meet with Senegal facing the Netherlands. Senegal are missing their talisman Sadio Mane which has dented hopes we may see the first-ever African winner of the World Cup, but the Dutch are a lot of people’s dark horses in World Cup odds.
Could Senegal win, or will the Netherlands get off to the perfect start? Don’t miss our Senegal vs. Netherlands World Cup picks and predictions.
Senegal vs Netherlands odds
Senegal vs Netherlands picks and predictions
The second of Monday’s three World Cup games is Senegal vs. Netherlands. This was originally slated to be the first game of the World Cup until Qatar decided that they, as hosts, wanted to be first up. Regardless of its place in the schedule, it’s the most exciting of Monday’s games. However, Senegal will almost certainly be without their talisman, former Liverpool and now Bayern Munich striker Sadio Mane.
Mane was instrumental when he led his team to the African Cup of Nations earlier in 2022, but an injury just weeks ago has put his tournament status in jeopardy. Although he was named to the squad, he likely won't play in this game. The Dutch are considered by many to be dark horses to win the World Cup, and they do have a potentially easy path to the quarterfinals.
For my best bet on Monday’s game, I’m going to recommend you betting on a player who I believe could be the breakout star of the tournament. Every World Cup sees players announce themselves as world stars, and in 2022 I think the Netherlands’ Cody Gakpo will be on the list.
The 23-year-old nearly left PSV for Manchester United this summer before they signed Antony, and he later rejected a move to Southampton on deadline day. That was a smart move, and he’s been electric in the Eredivisie this season.
In 14 league games for PSV, he’s scored nine times and added 12 assists. Gakpo is a clinical finisher who loves to cut inside and shoot. He’s quick, dynamic, and often gets taken down when running at defenders.
He’s going to be a key part of this Netherlands team, and with Memphis Depay (the main goalscorer ) ruled out, it’s Gakpo who I think will hit the back of the net first in this game.
My best bet: Cody Gakpo to score first goal (+650 at bet365)
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Senegal vs Netherlands side analysis
Despite winning AFCON earlier this year, Senegal feels like a bit of an unknown coming into this one. Without their star man and Ballon d’Or runner-up Mane injured, it’s hard to know how manager Aliou Cisse will set his team up. It’s made even harder, given that he’s changed a number of different systems and formations in the past few years.
Senegal is +550 to pull off an upset, and I think the Dutch are more likely, even if their -159 odds aren’t that appealing.
Louis Van Gaal has used a variety of systems throughout his career. Still, it’s expected we see him play with three central defenders and two attacking wingbacks, with Denzel Dumfries and Daley Blind both confident on the ball and excellent distributors. He’ll then either play three in the heart of midfield with two up top or two in midfield.
Jurrien Timber, Virgil van Dijk, and Nathan Ake will be at the back. By giving them protection from the wingbacks, it should make the Netherlands very tough to score against, something which will cause a Mane-less Senegal serious problems.
Senegal vs Netherlands Over/Under analysis
The books are expecting this to be lower scoring, with Under 2.5 at -130 and the Over around +122. I have no strong lean here, but if the Dutch score early, I could see them using their attack (especially from wide areas) to counter on Senegal and pick them off when they win the ball back.
Granted, the Netherlands team at Euro 2020 was very different from this one, but we saw that they loved to attack and go forward. Van Gaal will have them thinking more tactically, but they’re still very capable of blowing teams away.
Senegal vs Netherlands game info
| Location: | Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar |
| Date: | Monday, November 21, 2022 |
| Time: | 11:00 a.m. ET |
| TV: | FOX |
Senegal vs Netherlands key injuries
Senegal: Sadio Mane STR (Out).
Netherlands: Memphis Depay FW (Out).
