The Netherlands take flight at the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a tough Group A matchup against Senegal.
Group A is typically the most chaotic due to the presence of the host nation, which means the Netherlands are the favorites to advance despite being drawn from Pot 2 back in April.
They match up against Africa Cup of Nations winners Senegal, who boast a strong defensive unit but are missing their best attacking player.
Starting the World Cup with a positive result is critical to a team’s prospects moving forward, so which side will emerge with an eye on the knockout stage?
MORE: Follow all of The Sporting News picks each day through the 2022 FIFA World Cup here
Senegal vs. Netherlands odds
The Netherlands, understandably, are the heavy favorites here, boasting a wealth of European talent.
While Senegal emerged as continental champions back in February, they are still facing an uphill battle. No African teams made the knockout stage in the 2018 World Cup, and as such, they’ll be considered underdogs here despite their success back home.
Additionally, it is expected to be tough on goalscorers, with the under favored and the over sitting on plus odds.
Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and LadBrokes (Australia).
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction |
SkyBet | Ladbrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands win | -165 | 1.50 | 4/7 | 4/7 |
| Draw | +280 | 4.05 | 14/5 | 27/10 |
| Senegal win | +500 | 6.12 | 21/4 | 11/2 |
| Both teams to score Y / N |
+110 / -155 | 2.06 / 1.60 | 11/10, 4/6 | 23/20, 8/13 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals |
+105 / -145 | 2.08 / 1.67 | 11/10, 4/6 | 23/20, 4/6 |
| Netherlands -0.5 | -185 | 1.57 | — | — |
| Senegal +0.5 | +130 | 2.30 | — | — |
Senegal vs. Netherlands: three things to know
Netherlands vs. Senegal team news
The biggest red flag in this game is the knowledge that Senegal star Sadio Mane will not play, having suffered a right leg injury with Bayern Munich. It was announced on November 17 that, despite his best efforts to recover, he will be unable to play at this tournament.
Netherlands have a mostly clean bill of health, only missing Georginio Wijnaldum who suffered a broken leg early in the club season. Denzel Dumfries sustained a knock before the clubs broke for the World Cup but should be ready to go, as he himself called it “not even a worry”.
Senegal vs. Netherlands key stats
- The last time Senegal conceded multiple goals to an opposing team was a 2-2 draw with Madagascar in AFCON qualification on September 9, 2018.
- This does not include matches in the COSAFA Cup, in which many top African sides do not send their first-choice squad.
- Netherlands have not lost since June 27, 2021, a run of 15 matches unbeaten.
- This will be the first-ever meeting between Netherlands and Senegal.
Senegal vs. Netherlands match facts
- Date: Monday, November 21
- Kickoff Time: 11:00 am ET / 4:00 pm GMT / 3:00 am AEDT (Tue, Nov. 22)
- Location: Al Thumama Stadium
- Official: TBD
Senegal vs. Netherlands prediction
- Moneyline lean: Netherlands (-165)
- Against the spread lean: Netherlands -0.5 (-185)
- Score prediction: Netherlands 2-0 Senegal
The Netherlands should have too much firepower in this match, overwhelming the Senegal defense. On the flip side, without Sadio Mane, there will be no way forward for Senegal against an underrated Dutch defensive unit.
MORE: World Cup 2022 Group A: Match schedule, fixtures, times and dates
Senegal vs. Netherlands: best bet
Starting out the World Cup on the right foot will be critical, and that will be on the forefront of the minds of all players on the field at Al Thumama Stadium on Monday.
Senegal vs. Netherlands best bet
- Pick: Netherlands to win to nil
- Odds: +138 (BetMGM)
While the Netherlands attackers are the standout stars of the squad, with Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, and Steven Bergwijn earning plaudits, the Dutch defense is excellent as well.
Without Sadio Mane, there will be no way through for Senegal against the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake, and Matthijs de Ligt, whoever Aliou Cisse wishes to deploy. The Dutch will control this game from start to finish, and it will be tough to see Senegal finding a way through.
Hits: 0
