Racing Post

Dutch can lead home Lions

James Milton

FEW teams will arrive in Qatar in better form than the Netherlands and they are understandably short-priced favourites to top Group A.

They reached the World Cup final in 2010 and the semi-finals four years later under Louis van Gaal, who has returned to rejuvenate the side following their last-16 exit at Euro 2020.

The Oranje won all three of their group matches at that tournament, scoring eight goals against Ukraine, Austria and North Macedonia, and their attacking unit looks a cut above those of their Group A rivals.

They took 16 points from a possible 18 in the Nations League, beating Belgium at home and away, also winning 4-2 against Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark and drawing with Germany in friendlies earlier in the year.

Senegal have to be respected after their victory at the Africa Cup of Nations and their miserly defence means they could pip Ecuador to second place in the group.

The South Americans have an exciting young squad but Senegal have a clear edge in terms of tournament experience and that could be crucial when the teams meet on matchday three.

Tournament hosts Qatar are long odds-on to finish bottom of the group, although no stone will have been left unturned in their preparation for the World Cup and they are bigger than 3-1 to lose all three group games.

Felix Sanchez’s side will be no pushovers and their fixtures against Ecuador and Senegal could be tight, low-scoring contests.

Best bet Netherlands-Senegal straight forecast

1pt 5-2 bet365, Betfred

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8

WORLD CUP 2022 GROUP A-D VERDICTS

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2022-11-17T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-11-17T08:00:00.0000000Z

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