Netherlands will face Ecuador in their second group A encounter at Khalifa International Stadium on Friday.
They will want to make it 2 in 2 after they defeated the African champions, Senegal, but they will be coming up against an Ecuadorian team brimming with confidence after defeating host Qatar.
Louis van Gaal’s side recorded a 2-0 victory over Senegal on Monday, while Ecuador was also a 2-0 winner in their Group A opener, beating the tournament hosts Qatar on Sunday.
Ecuadorian Manager Gustavo Julio Alfaro will be banking on two-goal hero Enner Valencia to help the South American team attempt to pull off a third key upset in Qatar after Japan’s defeat of Germany and Saudi Arabia’s humiliation of Argentina.
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Kick-off – 16:00 G.M.T
Venue – Al – Khalifa Stadium.
Team news
Memphis Depay was not deemed fit enough to start for the Netherlands against Senegal due to his injury problems for Barcelona this season, but he played the final 30 minutes of the contest.
The attacker, who has 42 goals at the international level, could now come in for a start here, replacing Vincent Janssen, with Gakpo and Steven Bergwijn also set to feature in the final third of the field.
For Ecuador, Valencia suffered an injury to his knee during the clash with Qatar, but the 33-year-old is expected to be available to start this match.
Valencia is the national team’s all-time leading goalscorer with 37, while he now has five strikes at World Cups, so the medical team will be working to ensure that he can feature.
Predicted lineups
Netherland
Noppert; De Ligt, Van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, F de Jong, Berghuis, Blind; Gakpo; Memphis, Bergwijn
Ecuador
Galindez; Preciado, Torres, Hincapie, Estupinan; Plata, Caicedo, Mendez, Ibarra; Sarmiento
Odds / Prediction
The Ecuadorian team will put up a stiff battle against the Netherlands but it’s difficult to call a victor in this encounter. Punters will have to go for an over 3.5 goals and a 2-2 draw.
