Both sides are heading into the match on the back of some impressive form, as the Dutch have won each of their last three matches, while Senegal have not conceded a goal in six of their previous eight outings.
Follow Us
Senegal and Netherlands will go head-to-head in the Group A fixture of the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Al Thumama Stadium on Monday evening. Both sides are heading into the match on the back of some impressive form, as the Dutch have won each of their last three matches, while Senegal have not conceded a goal in six of their previous eight outings. Senegal narrowly missed out on the knockout stage of the 2018 edition of the tournament after a Fair Play points tiebreaker was the deciding factor. Oranje, on the other hand, had reached the semi-finals of the tournament eight years ago in Brazil, but failed to qualify for the finals last term.
🇸🇳 Everyone should laugh and dance into matchday like Senegal 🕺#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Sj6JFrYU2c
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2022
The Lions of Teranga might be looking to keep things tight at the back against the Dutch before going into more winnable fixtures against Qatar and Ecuador. Senegal have dominated the continent of Africa since 2018 courtesy of their solid defensive play. It partly has to do with the fact that they have one of the best defenders in world football Kalidou Koulibaly, FIFA Best Goalkeeper Award winner Edouard Mendy and a solid defensive midfielder’s Pape Gueye, Pape Sarr and Nampalys Mendy. In the absence of talismanic striker Sadio Mane, head coach Aliou Cisse is likely to opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Boulaye Dia leading the line.The midfield-duo of Gueye and N. Mendy’s ability to restrict the likes of De Jong Klaassen and Koopmeiners might be the deciding factor in the game.
Netherlands, on the other hand, are in stunning form, having not tasted defeat in their last 17 games, while winning 12 of them. Louis van Gaal is likely to opt for a 3-4-1-2 formation with Frenkie de Jong pulling the strings in the midfield. In the absence of Memphis Depay, who is nursing a hamstring injury, Klaassen is likely to be deployed in a free role behind the two strikers Bergwijn and Cody Gakpo. Right-wing-back Denzel Dumfries is doubtful of Monday’s game after being taken off in Inter Milan’s Serie A match last week. Therefore, Jeremie Frimpong is expected to occupy the right flank. Frenkie de Dong’s is going to be the key man in the midfield and his ability to supply quality balls to the wingers might be the pivotal to Netherlands’ success. .
Sadio Mane is the most notable absentee in the Senegal side. The Bayern Munich forward sustained a fibula injury during a Bundesliga game against Werder Bremen earlier this month and has been ruled out of the World Cup. The former Liverpoo-man’s absence was a huge blow for the African champions. Therefore Monaco player Diatta is likely to start at the left wing, with Dia playing down the centre and Sarr on the right-flank. Gueye and N Mendy could sit in front of the back-four. As for Netherlands, Liverpool-man Virgil Van Dijk is likely to marshall the back-three consisting of Nathan Ake and Jurrien Timber. Ajax full-back Danny Dlind is expected to occupy the left-flank.
Senegal probable starting lineup (4-2-3-1): E Mendy, Sabaly, Cisse, Koulibaly, Ballo-Toure, Kouyate, N Mendy, I Gueye, I Sarr, Dia, Diatta
Netherlands probable starting lineup (3-4-1-2): Pasveer, Timber, Van Dijk, Ake, Frimpong, F De Jong, Koopmeiners, Blind, Klaassen, Gakpo, Bergwijn
