Senegal are set to slug it out with the Netherlands in the opening game of the 2022 World Cup Tournament. According to the draws made by FIFA early this year, host nation Qatar ought to play Ecuador in the opening game of the competition but later made a U-turn and scheduled Senegal vs the Netherlands as the opening game of the globally-recognized tournament.

Early this year, Senegal emerged winners of the African Cup of nations after defeating Egypt 4-2 on penalties in the final stage of the competition.

Senegal star player Sadio Mane won the African Player of the Year award ahead of fellow teammate Eduard Mendy and former teammate Mohamed Salah. The energetic forward completed a move to Bayern Munich this summer despite having a year left in his contract at Liverpool; according to information gathered by our reporters, Mane’s exit was a result of his desire to seek a new challenge elsewhere and the home of the German champions was his destination.

All eyes will be on the latest African best player to upset the Netherlands’ defense. However, former Liverpool teammates Virgil van Dijk and Gerginio Widjnaldum will be on the ground to ensure he was put under lock and key.

On the other hand, the Netherlands has been in good shape lately as they have not lost any of their last five matches. They won 3 and drew 2; notable among their last five matches is their one-all draw against Germany and a 4-1 victory over Belgium.

Netherland failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup tournament hosted by Russia and will be looking forward to having a memorable outing in the current edition of the competition. At the same time, Senegal did well to have qualified. Still, it later failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition after finishing 3rd in Group H behind Colombia and Japan, who proceeded to the next round of the competition.

When is the Senegal vs Netherland Match?

The match has been scheduled to kick off at 11:00 CET on November 21, 2022, at the AI Thumama stadium Qatar. The game will be the tournament’s opening game and the first game in Group A, where the Netherlands has been grouped alongside Senegal, Ecuador, and host nation Qatar.

On the tournament’s opening day, three other matches will be played alongside Senegal versus Netherland game. England will battle Iran at 14:00 CET, and host nation Qatar will also slug it out with Ecuador at 15:00 CET before USA will square it out with either Wales, Ukraine, or Scotland, depending on the outcome of their qualification round.

The final group stage matches are scheduled to end on December 2, 2022, while the round of 16 stages will commence the following day. The 3rd and 4th place playoffs will be played on December 17, 2022, while the final will be played on December 18, 2022, which will eventually draw the curtain on the tournament.

Senegal Team News

However, Senegal are hard nuts to crack when it comes to good football, and the African champions are ready to fight against the Netherlands.

Bayern Munich’s new signing Sadio Mane has been on fire for the club since his arrival, and he is fit, ready, and available to upset the Netherland’s defenders.

Big names such as Sadio Mane, Eduard Mendy, Sarr, Gueye, Kouyate, and Koulibaly are all fit and available to feature in the world cup encounter in Qatar.

Netherlands Team News

The Netherlands have not lost any of their last five matches and are a formidable force to contend with in the 2022 World Cup tournament.

Having quite a number of their players are actively performing in the top European leagues, Senegal will need quite a lot of effort to stop the free-scoring Orange boys from doing what they know how to do best.

Memphis Depay, Tyrell Malacia, Frenkie de Jong, Dumfries, Mathias de Light, and Virgil Van Dijk are all fit and available to feature in the match.

Senegal Predicted Lineup

Senegal has little or no injury worries as at the time of writing this news and are going to lineup with their best squad ahead of their opeing game against Netheland. We shall be expecting a stating first XI similar to the squad that played the African Cup of Nations final against Egypt.
Senegal Boss Aliou Ciss will likely play a 4-3-3 formation strengthening every part of his squad, having for defenders to hold the free-scoring Netherlands attacking line won’t be a bad idea at all. Also not forgetting the need to strengthen the attacking line in a quest for goals.
Once again Kalidou Koulibaly will captain the Senegal team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and former Liverpool winger, Sadio Mane will be the center focus by all football lovers.
Formation: 4-3-3
GK: Edouard Mendy
RB: Bouna Sarr
CB: Kalidou Koulibaly
CB: Abdou Diallo
LB: Saliou Ciss
RMF: Cheikhou Kouyate
CMF: Papy Mendy
LMF: Idrisa Gueye
RW: Ismaila Sarr
LW: Sadio Mane
FWD: Bamba Dieng

Netherlands Predicted Lineup

The Netherland’s team is also in good shape with no serious injury worries and will head into their first match of the tournament with their best players. Netherland boss Louis Van Gaal is likely to play a 3-4-1-2 formation in his quest to win the tight fixture against Senegal.
Barcelona forward Mephis Depay will be the star player every fan of the team will be looking forward to upset the Senegal defense line while Liverpool ace defender Virgil van Dijk will captain his side to victory.
Formation: 3-4-1-2
GK: Jasper Cillessen
RB: Denzel Dumfries
CB: Virgil Van Dijk
LB: Matijs De Light
LMF: Steven Bergwijn
CMF: Davy Klaassen
CMF: Frenkie de Jong
RMF: Steven Berghuis
RW: Cody Gakpo
FWD: Memphis Depay
LW: V. Janssen

How to bet on Senegal vs Netherlands

Undoubtedly, the match is going to be tough for both teams. However, our expert tipsters have labeled the Orange boys as the favorite to win the game, but not as easy as it sounds.

There is a high possibility of goals in the match, it does not matter who scores first, but at the end of 90 minutes, we tip the Netherlands to take home all 3 points in the opening Group A match of the 2022 World Cup tournament.

FT: Senegal 1-2 Netherlands

Best Betting tips for Senegal vs Netherlands match
• Away win – 2
• Away win or draw – X2
• There should be more than two goals in the match – Over 2.5
• Both teams to score – GG
Complete betting guide on all first round of Group stage matches
Fixtures Bet Prediction Meaning
Senegal vs Netherland X2 Netherland to win or draw