Netherlands v USA predictions: Star and Stripes can stay in the hunt

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Netherlands v USA in the last 16 of the World Cup on Saturday.

Where to watch

BBC One, 3pm Saturday

Best bet

USA or draw double chance
1pt 20-23 BoyleSports

USA came through a tough group stage undefeated and can at the very least reach extra-time against the Netherlands, who were not entirely convincing in their opening three matches.

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Match preview

USA have reached the World Cup quarter-finals just twice in their history but are impressing in Qatar and have a good chance of eliminating the Netherlands at the Khalifa International Stadium.

The Stars and Stripes were knocked out in the round of 16 at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, suffering extra-time defeats to Ghana and Belgium.

They have not beaten a European team at a World Cup in 11 attempts dating back to a 3-2 success over Portugal in 2002, but there is something different about the talented group head coach Gregg Berhalter has taken to Qatar.

USA came through a knockout scenario when Christian Pulisic's goal gave them a 1-0 success over Iran.

They were also the dominant side for large parts of draws against Wales and England and thoroughly deserved a top two finish.

Berhalter's side gave their best performance in the goalless draw with England where they exerted a firm grip on the midfield thanks to the sterling work of Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah.

And USA's strength in central areas poses a challenge to the Dutch, who won Group A without playing at a particularly high level.

Louis Van Gaal has constantly tinkered with team selections but doesn't appear to be getting any closer to fielding a settled, confident side.

His team opened up with a flattering 2-0 victory over Senegal and performed no better when drawing 1-1 with Ecuador.

They wrapped things up with a 2-0 success over already-eliminated Qatar with Cody Gakpo adding his third goal of the tournament, but they are unlikely to have learned much given the poor quality of opposition.

Gakpo is a rising star with rising confidence and needs to be closely monitored by the USA backline, but, overall, the Dutch have been far from free-flowing, and their shot total of is three below the USA's.

The Dutch have a better World Cup pedigree than the USA, having reached the final on three occasions, but both nations were absent at Russia 2018, so a general lack of World Cup experience applies to both sets of players.

It should not come as a huge surprise that the Netherlands have looked like a team who are feeling they way into the tournament, but they are running out of time to hit a higher level.

England's players would be the first to tell them that the USA are not a side to be taken lightly, and the Netherlands could find that out the hard way by experiencing a first round-of-16 elimination since 2006.

Key stat

USA have lost just one of their last nine fixtures

Team news

Netherlands
Jeremie Frimpong has returned to training following an ankle injury but is unlikely to dislodge Denzel Dumfries from the starting line-up.

USA
Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent and Weston McKennie are carrying minor injuries and will need to be assessed.

Probable teams

Netherlands (3-4-1-2) Noppert; Timber, Van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, De Roon, De Jong, Blind; Klaasen; Gakpo, Depay.

USA (4-3-3) Turner; Dest, Carter-Vickers, Ream, Robinson; Musah, Adams, McKennie; Weah, Sargent, Pulisic.

Inside info

Netherlands

Top scorer in probable team Memphis Depay
Star player Virgil Van Dijk
Penalty taker Memphis Depay
Assist ace Memphis Depay
Set-piece aerial threat Virgil Van Dijk
Card magnet Denzel Dumfries

USA

Top scorer in probable team Christian Pulisic
Star player Christian Pulisic
Penalty taker Christian Pulisic
Assist ace Weston McKennie
Set-piece aerial threat Cameron Carter-Vickers
Card magnet Timothy Weah

Netherlands v USA Bet Builder

USA or draw double chance
USA coped very well with their toughest Group B match, drawing 0-0 with England, and they have every chance of dealing with the Dutch.

Under 2.5 goals
All of the USA's group matches featured fewer than three goals and the low-scoring trend looks likely to continue.

Denzel Dumfries to be carded
The right wing-back has avoided a booking despite committing ten fouls - more than any other Dutch player - but his luck may be about to run out.

Price guide 9-1

Match information

Stadium Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan
Fifa rankings Netherlands 8, USA 16
Weather Clear, 26C

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