The second game in Group A at the World Cup sees Senegal face Netherlands exactly 24 hours after Qatar and Ecuador meet on the opening day of the tournament.
It is the first game being played in Qatar’s capital city as Al Thumama Stadium in Doha is the venue for the third game of the World Cup.
It will be second game of the second day of the 2022 World Cup and kicks off at 16.00 GMT (11.00 EST and 17.00 CET) which means it will be 19.00 local time.
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UK viewers will be able to watch the game on ITV while it is FOX and Telemundo who have the rights in the US. NOS will be showing the game in the Netherlands with RTS the broadcasters in Senegal.
Wilton Sampaio is the referee for the match. He is appearing at his first World Cup but last year’s Copa America has provided the Brazilian with vital major tournament experience.
Team news
Senegal’s hopes of a successful tournament have been dealt a cruel blow already. It was confirmed on Thursday that Sadio Mane would have to pull out of the squad as he requires surgery on an injury sustained at Bayern Munich.
Elsewhere, fans will be hoping to see Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly return to their best form as they have not been at their best for Chelsea this season.
As for Netherlands, they will be without Georginio Wijnaldum who has been their talisman at times over the last few years.
Fans of the Oranje will be desperate to see their key players coming back into form when the tournament begins. It will be intriguing to see how the likes of Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons perform at their first World Cup.
Gakpo could star for Netherlands on the back of his electric club form at PSV (Photo: Peter Lous/Orange Pictures/BSR Agency/Getty Images)Predicted line-ups
Senegal (4-2-3-1 ): Mendy, Sabaly, Koulibaly, Diallo, Ball-Toure; [Nampalys] Mendy, [Idrissa Gana] Gueye; Sarr, Diatta, Dieng; Dia.
Netherlands (3-5-2): Bijlow, De Ligt, Van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, De Jong, Koopmeiners, Berghuis, Malacia; Depay, Bergwijn.
What’s at stake?
As the two favourites to progress from Group A, this game could provide a clear indicator of who is likely to finish top of the group.
It is hard to see past Netherlands qualifying as winners of the group and it seems the only way they will be beaten to a favourable Round of 16 tie is if Senegal defeat them in the first game.
Expert opinion
Senegal would love to spring a surprise in their opening game against a big European team, just like in 2002 when beating holders France, but their chances are harmed by the absence of Mane.
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That said, the Netherlands will find it tough to break down a stubborn back-line. Senegal have had the best defence for the past two AFCONs; Aliou Cisse’s side are well drilled and hard to beat and will pose a threat on the counter through Ismaila Sarr.
The hopes of Senegal will be pinned on Watford’s Sarr if Mane is unable to play any part during the group stage (Photo: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)Conversely, Louis van Gaal’s Dutchmen are often fallible at the back. It’s a fascinating clash of styles. Holland should just about edge it, especially if Frenkie de Jong is at his creative, tempo-setting best.
Tim Spiers
Reason to watch
It will be intriguing to see how Senegal line up in Mane’s absence. While the former Liverpool star is clearly their stand-out individual, there is still plenty of attacking talent in Cisse’s squad.
The likes of Boulaye Dia, Sarr and Krepin Diatta all have the opportunity to make themselves national heroes in a team that is missing its best player.
Since being disappointingly knocked out of Euro 2020 by Czech Republic, Netherlands have not been beaten in the 15 games that have followed. That hard work would all seem rather inconsequential if their major tournament return ended in defeat.
Prediction
Netherlands to beat Senegal.
Netherlands to win: 64 per cent. Senegal to win: 15 per cent. Draw: 21 per cent.
All of our predictions for the 2022 World Cup are powered by Nielsen’s Gracenote, who have used a proprietary football ranking system to estimate the chances of different results for every possible match through extensive simulations, to assess the chances for each team to reach different stages of the tournament.
Wider reading
While the host nation are dominating much of the discussion in Group A, Netherlands and Senegal cannot, and will not, be ignored.
(Photo: Getty Images)
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