2022 World Cup: Senegal Vs Netherlands – Match Preview, Team News And Predicted Line-Up

The second Group A match after the opening game of the 2022 World Cup will see African champions Senegal lock horns with 2010 finalists, Netherlands at the Al Thumama Stadium on Monday, November 21 at 16:00 GMT.

Senegal will be hoping to get off to a good start without talisman Sadio Mane, who has been ruled out of the competition due to a leg injury. However, it will likely be challenging against a Netherlands team that look formidable and have backed by some to go all the way.

FORM GUIDE (LAST FIVE MATCHES)

Senegal have won four of their last five matches, one of which helped them secure qualification for the World Cup. Netherlands are enjoying a similar run with their draw against Poland in the UEFA Nations League being their worst outcome in five matches.

SENEGAL’S FORM

27 September           Iran           1–1           Senegal                     Friendly

24 September           Bolivia       0–2           Senegal                     Friendly

7 June 2022             Rwanda      0–1           Senegal        2023   AFCON Qualifier

4 June 2022             Senegal      3–1           Benin          2023   AFCON Qualifier

29 March 2022         Senegal      1–0           Egypt          WC       QLF 2nd Leg

NETHERLAND’S FORM

25 September 22       Netherlands           1–0        Belgium                 UEFA Nations League

22 September 22       Poland                  0–2       Netherlands            UEFA Nations League

14 June 22               Netherlands           3–2        Wales                 UEFA Nations League

11 June 22               Netherlands           2–2        Poland                UEFA Nations League

8 June   22              Wales                     1–2       Netherlands          UEFA Nations League

HEAD TO HEAD

The two sides are yet to play each other in an official game.

TEAM NEWS AND PREDICTED LINE-UP

SENEGAL

Senegal’s main concern ahead of the game will be Sadio Mane’s absence due to a leg injury suffered while playing for Bayern Munich a few weeks ago. Things got even worse when it was announced last Thursday that he would be unable to compete in the entire tournament. Their head coach Aliou Cisse has either preferred a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3 formation.

PREDICTED LINE-UP

(4-2-3-1) Senegal possible starting lineup:
E. Mendy; Sabaly, Cisse, Koulibaly, Ballo-Toure; Kouyate, N. Mendy, I. Gueye; I. Sarr, Dia, Diatta

NETHERLANDS

Louis Van Gaal may be fortunate to have almost all of his men fit and ready for the encounter. He would obviously continue in his favourite 3-5-2 with Van Dijk and de Ligt.

Netherlands possible starting lineup:
Pasveer; Timber, Van Dijk, Ake; Frimpong, F. De Jong, Koopmeiners, Blind; Klaassen; Gakpo, Bergwijn