Netherlands v Qatar predictions: Dutch can find goalscoring touch against hosts

Qatar may bow out in disappointing fashion

Cody Gakpo has netted twice for the Netherlands in QatarCredit: BSR Agency

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for the Netherlands v Qatar in the World Cup Group A on Tuesday.

Where to watch

ITV 1, 3pm Tuesday

Best bet

Netherlands to win and over 3.5 goals
1pt 6-4 general

The Netherlands have not been convincing in their opening two matches but should be able to find their rhythm against a a poor Qatar side who were outclassed by Ecuador and Senegal. Expect the Dutch to run up the score in this one.

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Match preview

Qatar were the first side to be eliminated from the World Cup and things may not get much better for the hosts when they face the Netherlands in their final group game.

There was a great deal of uncertainty about how Felix Sanchez’s side would perform at this tournament, given that they had not played a competitive fixture in almost 12 months but they have been outclassed.

The Maroons were beaten 2-0 by Ecuador in the curtain raiser before they fell 3-1 to Senegal in their second game.

In both encounters Qatar were second-best for the majority of the game and showed only flashes of the form that saw them lift the Asian Cup back in 2019.

They will need to be at their absolute best to get anything against this Dutch side, who themselves have not lived up to expectations in their two matches.

In what looked the easiest group on paper, topping the section was the minimum goal for Louis van Gaal’s team and a victory here would see them achieve that.

However, they were sloppy in their opener against Senegal before two late goals from Cody Gakpo and Davy Klassen gave them a 2-0 win.

The Oranje then followed that up with another below-par performance against Ecuador, where they struggled to exert control on the game after taking an early lead through Gakpo again.

Ecuador eventually fought back to secure a point and were arguably the more dangerous side in the second half.

That is reflected in the expected-goals tally for the game, which gave the Netherlands just 0.1 and their opponents 1.7.

The Oranje managed just two shots to Ecuador’s 15 in that match as their midfield struggled to control the pace of the game.

If the Dutch are to make any impression on the tournament they will need to improve on that performance and this game with Qatar represents a perfect opportunity to find their rhythm.

Goals have not been an issue for the Dutch and they have scored at least twice in ten of their last 13 matches.

With this opportunity against already eliminated opponents, Van Gaal’s men should be able to cut loose and find their feet at the tournament with a comfortable success.

Key stat

The Netherlands have scored at least twice in ten of their last 13 games.

Team news

Netherlands
Memphis Depay and Marten de Roon are doubts after coming off the bench against Ecuador and may start as substitutes again.

Qatar
Felix Sanchez has no injury concerns for this clash.

Probable teams

Netherlands (3-4-1-2) Noppert; De Ligt, van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, de Jong, Koopmeiners, Blind; Klaassen; Bergwijn, Gakpo

Qatar (3-4-1-2) Barsham; Salman, Khoukhi, Hassan; Mohammad, Haydos, Boudiaf, Ahmed; Muntari; Ali, Afif

Inside info

Netherlands

Top scorer in probable team Davy Klaassen
Star player Virgil van Dijk
Penalty taker Cody Gakpo
Assist ace Davy Klaassen
Set-piece aerial threat Virgil van Dijk
Card magnet Matthijs de Ligt

Qatar

Top scorer in probable team Almoez Ali
Star player Akram Afif
Penalty taker Hassan Al-Haydos
Assist ace Akram Afif
Set-piece aerial threat Abdelkarim Hassan
Card magnet Abdelkarim Hassan