-
Netherlands vs Ecuador – World Cup: Team news, Possible lineups & prediction.
When the Netherlands face Ecuador at the Khalifa International Stadium on Friday, they will be attempting to make it two victories in their opening two games of the 2022 World Cup.
Although they underperformed, for the most part, Louis van Gaal’s team defeated Senegal with two goals in stoppage time, while La Tri defeated the hosts Qatar on the opening night.
Any team that wins another game will almost certainly advance to the round of 16.
-
Team News:
Due to his injury issues for Barcelona this season, Memphis Depay was not declared fit enough to start for the Netherlands against Senegal, but he played the final 30 minutes of the match.
With Gakpo and Steven Bergwijn also expected to play in the last third of the field, the attacker, who has 42 goals for his country, may now start in place of Vincent Janssen.
Frenkie de Jong, Steven Berghuis, and Denzel Dumfries are all expected to play in a 3-5-2 formation, with Daley Blind and Denzel Dumfries manning the full-back positions. There are unlikely to be any more changes.
Marten de Roon was an injury doubt ahead of the contest with Senegal, but the midfielder also featured off the bench last time out, and he is again expected to receive minutes at some stage of the contest.
RELATED:
- England VS USA – World Cup Prediction, Team News, Potential Lineups
- World Cup: Gareth Southgate gives huge update on Harry Kane’s injury
- Breel Embolo’s apologetic goal wins Switzerland’s narrow World Cup victory over Cameroon.
Concerning Ecuador, Valencia, 33, sustained a knee injury during the play with Qatar, but it is anticipated that he will be able to start this game.
Valencia has scored five goals in World Cups and has scored 37 goals for his country overall. The medical staff will be working to guarantee that Valencia can play here.
One change could be made by head coach Alfaro from the lineup that faced Qatar, with Jeremy Sarmiento perhaps replacing Michael Estrada in a different formation.
But Robert Arboleda, 31, will be on the manager’s mind before kickoff on Friday because he is competing for a spot at the back.
-
Possible Lineup:
Netherlands possible lineup:
Noppert; De Ligt, Van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, F de Jong, Berghuis, Blind; Gakpo; Memphis, Bergwijn
Ecuador possible lineup:
Galindez; Preciado, Torres, Hincapie, Estupinan; Plata, Caicedo, Mendez, Ibarra; Sarmiento; Valencia
-
Score prediction:
This shouldn’t be a relationship with many ambitions, so I’m writing it in part in the hopes of a jinx.
While the Netherlands hardly challenged Senegal until late in one of the more dull games so far this tournament, Ecuador was pleased to shut down shop after scoring two past a very weak Qatari team. Ecuador will remain within striking distance the entire way, but Van Gaal’s team has the elite quality and experience to edge this.
Prediction: Netherlands 2-0 Ecuador.