Senegal vs Netherlands Predictions

• The Netherlands are unbeaten in their last 15 games.
• Senegal have won just four of their last 10.
• Steven Bergwijn has eight goals and three assists in 14 league games for Ajax this season.

Tricky opener for Van Gaal’s Netherlands

The Netherlands kick off their World Cup campaign on Monday against Senegal in a fixture that may well decide who finished top of Group A.

The duo are joined by hosts Qatar and Ecuador in the first round. The South American nation may be the surprise packages in this group of four but European heavyweights the Netherlands and African champions Senegal do look the two most likely sides to progress.

Oranje in form ahead of Qatar

The Netherlands are one of the form teams heading to Qatar and they remain unbeaten in 2022, with six wins and two draws. Going back further, Louis van Gaal’s men haven’t tasted defeat since Euro 2020 – a run stretching 15 games – and they can hit the ground running with three points against Senegal.

The AFCON winners haven’t had the best preparation for the World Cup and have just four wins in their last 10 games. Senegal do carry a goal threat, however, with Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane their danger man and as the Dutch have conceded in six of their last eight games a win for the Oranje with both teams scoring looks a solid option for our main bet.

Ajax star can fire Dutch to victory

A 3-1 win for Holland to have a chance in the correct score market as the Dutch are averaging over two goals-per-game across their last six fixtures, having hit 14 during that time, and Senegal have at least scored in their last two defeats inside 90 minutes.

Ajax’s Steven Bergwijn looks a good candidate for an anytime goal after a strong few months in Amsterdam. The 25-year-old has eight goals in 14 league games for Ajax this season, including an effort in his final game before heading off to Qatar, and also has two goals in his last six games for his country.