Senegal vs Netherlands - Match Prediction, Their Strengths and Weaknesses

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Senegal vs Netherlands is the second-ever match of the FIFA World Cup 2022 that is going to kick off on Monday 21 November at Al Thumama Stadium. The Netherlands has a far higher reputation in the FIFA World Cup than Senegal does. The Oranje has been in three finals with no wins, however.

Speaking of the World Cup 2022, the Dutch are entering the event with impressive win records. Under the new/old coach, Louis van Gaal, the Netherlands is yet to face a defeat. van Gaal led Holland to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar by finishing two points clear of second place in Turkey. Whilst doing so, the team won five of their final seven qualifying matches.

On the other hand, Senegal’s best record in the competition is reaching the quarterfinals in 2002, Korea/Japan. During that campaign, they progressed out of the group that had Uruguay and France finishing behind them in the group table. Not only that they shocked the world further when they defeated Sweden in the round of 16 before losing to Turkey in the quarter-finals.

So, which team will be able to take 3 points? Or will they share one point each? Let’s find out each of their strengths and footballing pedigree and have the ultimate conclusion as to who will have an upper hand in the upcoming match.

Netherlands Recent Match Stats

Aforesaid, the Oranje is yet to face loss under the tutelage of van Gaal. Under him, the Netherlands have enjoyed 11 victories and four draws in 15 matches. It also includes two wins over the current 2nd ranked team in FIFA, Belgium. But the thing that seeks attention is the European sides have scored a whopping 54 goals in 15 outings.

Some of the Dutch national football players appearing at the FIFA World Cup. — The Netherlands national football team includes Frenkie de Jong, de Ligt, van Dijk, Depay, and others.

In four games out of the last five, the Northwest European nation has scored at least two goals. This Netherlands, however, is a bit rough in keeping the clean sheets. Out of 15, the team was able to keep their net clean in just six. They looked prone to conceding more goals when faced with fellow big names in Europe.

Senegal Recent Match Stats

Although not as impressive as the Dutch, Senegal too had a decent run during the CAF qualifiers round. On the side, they also managed to clinch the African Cup trophy. The Terangas furthermore has its own sets of stars out of whom most have been having good form in some of the top European clubs.

Well, Sadio Mane missing out is obviously a huge setback for Senegal, there still are a handful of star players like Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy, Everton’s Idrissa Gueye, and Watford’s Ismaila Sarr.

Some of the players appearing at the FIFA World Cup 2022 for Senegal. — Some Senegal national football players including Mendy, and Koulibaly are going to play at the FIFA World Cup 2022.

While for many it’s a no-brainer to choose the Netherlands as the favorite, Senegal does have the proof that it can be a piece of work even for the best of the best.

However, the African side hasn’t been in the best form in the recent games specifically since the time when the world cup hit the countdown. They won only two games out of their last five matches. The nation’s four out of the last five games have only seen one goal.

As for Senegal’s recent team strength, the team is entering Qatar as an African Champion. Earlier this year, they defeated Mohammed Salah-led Egypt on penalties in the final of the Africa Cup Of Nations.

Sports Mundial Take On Senegal Vs Netherlands And The Possible Scoreline

Having discussed the numbers and stats, the Netherlands clearly is better on paper and is also the frontrunner for many plus more to win against Senegal. They just enter any competition as the contender and looking at the last several FIFA romps, it seems like running deep in these sorts of competitions comes naturally to them. They simply have too much forcefulness both in the mid and attacking in addition to star defense men in van Dijk and de Ligt.

As for the scoreline, the outcome is likely to be in favor of the Netherlands by 3 goals to 1. However, it seems like the Dutch will have to climb almost at least a hill if not the mountain to secure three points from the Lions Of Teranga. Also as much as it seems implausible for the Netherlands to lose, it is also hard to foresee the team being able to get a clean sheet.

Also, the Netherlands will have it a bit difficult to apply their recent high-scoring game plan against Senegal as the team’s no. one feature for their ticket to the world cup has been their additional focus on defense. In fact, their backline might be the most compact thing the Oranje will face for the first time this year.

In terms of probability, the Flying Dutchmen have almost 50% odds of emerging as a victorious side in this duel while Senegal has only a little more than 25%. The game has also been given the likewise possibility of ending in a draw with the likeliest score of 1-1.