FIFA Club World Cup: In the third match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, defending Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal will face the Netherlands at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha on Monday. Senegal has a solid defense but lacks top striker Sadio Mane is absent due to injury. The Netherlands have fitness problems but approach their first World Cup since 2014 in excellent form. The Dutch are unbeaten in 15 games since Louis van Gaal was appointed coach for the third time last year.
Netherlands form (all competitions): T-W-W-D-W-W
Senegal form (all competitions): D-W-W-L-W-W
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Injuries and team news emerge for Oranje in September. Van Gaal has confirmed the striker will not start his World Cup opener while he is recovering. Denzel Dumfries and Marten de Roon are still questionable starters for this game.
Attempts to treat Mane’s injury to his fibula on 8 November – including the use of a wizard – have failed and he is now officially out of the tournament. . Abdou Diallo also has a knee problem.
Players to watch
Steven Bergwijn
Bergwijn is an excellent dribbler, and that’s clearly not something he avoids when he has the ball. His speed and dribbling ability will cause a lot of difficulties for the opponent. He is also a good assist but in Depay’s absence he will be a key player in the Dutch attack.
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Kalidou Koulibaly
Kalidou Koulibaly has built an incredible reputation as one of the most all-round defenders in the game. However, on the defensive side, Koulibaly tends to be less involved in the game and should be paired with a more defensive centre-back to balance the line, Koulibaly uses his upper body strength, rather than ground handling, to tackle opponents with his shoulder and try to break their balance. He will be key in Senegal’s defense as the Netherlands will be a very difficult team to beat
Head-to-Head stats
Both teams never faced each other previously, this will be the first time that they will be facing each other.
Predicted Lineup
Netherlands predicted lineup (3-5-2): Pasveer; Timber, Van Dijk, Ake; Frimpong, F De Jong, Koopmeiners, Blind; Gakpo; Bergwijn, Janssen.
Senegal predicted lineup (4-3-3): E Mendy; Sabaly, Cisse, Koulibaly, Ballo-Toure; PM Sarr, N Mendy, I Gueye; I Sarr, Dia, Diatta
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Netherlands vs Senegal: Prediction
Mane has either scored or created nine of Senegal’s last 14 goals in competitive matches. The Bayern Munich forward is a gargantuan loss to the frontline of Senegal. The absence of Memphis will be keenly felt by the Netherlands as well but Van Gaal arguably has more forward options to call upon than his opposite number. While their defensive resolve is far from faultless, Van Gaal’s Oranje should have enough to overcome a Senegal side shorn of their star man.
Prediction: Netherlands 3 – 1 Senegal
