The Netherlands and Ecuador will play their second game of this World Cup against each other at the Khalifa International Stadium. Both countries won their first game which means that a second win will (virtually) guarantee them a spot in the eighth finals. Orange is the favourite in the bookmaker’s eyes. Will national coach Louis van Gaal’s men take a big step towards group win? Read our preview with prediction, betting tip and quotes for Netherlands – Ecuador.
Netherlands World Cup 2022 – Latest Team News and Statistics
The Dutch national team started the tournament in Qatar with a 0-2 victory over Senegal. Orange did not play well against the champion of Africa and also created almost nothing in the first 75 minutes. It was only in the 84th minute that the Netherlands took the lead through a goal by PSV striker Cody Gakpo. Substitute Davy Klaassen, in the ninth minute of extra time, decided the game by making it 0-2. The debutant goalkeeper Andries Noppert kept the Oranje in the match when the score was 0-0 with two good saves.
For the match against Ecuador, Memphis Depay looks set to return to the starting line-up. The striker made his return against Senegal half an hour before time, after more than two months of injury. Furthermore, Van Gaal will have to choose between Matthijs de Ligt and Jurriën Timber at the back. De Ligt did not make a strong impression against Senegal.
Ecuador World Cup 2022 – Latest Team News and Statistics
In the opening game of this World Cup 2022, Ecuador won 0-2 against host Qatar without much difficulty. After only three minutes, Ecuador seemed to take the lead through Enner Valencia. However, VAR put a stop to this. The same Valencia scored two goals to put Ecuador 0-2 up before half-time. The score remained unchanged in the second half. Ecuador are now eight games unbeaten in a row. It last lost on 25 March this year, 3-1 to Paraguay.
A setback for Ecuador was the injury to match-winner Valencia. The Fenerbahçe striker had to be substituted after 77 minutes in the opening game, making it a question mark whether he will be fit for the game with Oranje
Netherlands – Ecuador previous encounters
The Netherlands and Ecuador face each other in round two of the World Cup for the third time in history. In the previous two meetings, Ecuador failed to win and scored a total of three goals. On 1 March 2006, in a friendly game, the Netherlands won 1-0 through a goal by Dirk Kuijt. In May 2014, the two countries played each other for the last time, in another friendly. This encounter produced no winner: 1-1. For the Dutch team, Robin van Persie scored the only goal.
Netherlands – Ecuador, World Cup 2022 Betting Tip & Odds
We end this preview with a betting tip for this second game of Orange. The Dutch team is the favourite in this match. A win has a quote of 4/5. A win for Ecuador gives you 7/2 times your stake. Despite the Netherlands failing to impress in the first game, we do think they will win this match. Ecuador also failed to convince in their first game against weak Qatar. With that, we think Depay will score a goal. The striker is very likely to return to the starting line-up and is also the first man for the Netherlands’ penalty kicks. Our betting tip: Memphis Depay scores, has a quote of 6/4 at NetBet.
- Tip: Memphis Depay scores
- Quote: 6/4 at bookmaker NetBet
- Risk assessment: medium
- Recommended stake: 5/10a