2022 FIFA World Cup
Saturday 3rd December 2022
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: Khalifa International Stadium
Match Preview:
The Netherlands will be the favourites to win this game but are only being quoted at 1.91 to do so. It is clear that the USA have caught up in terms of the quality they possess now and they will be no easy pushover as both sides look to qualify for the quarter finals of the World Cup.
However if the Netherlands were to exit at this stage against USA it would be a shock, that in part is not to do with the current Dutch side but the fact that they are coached by Louis van Gaal and have previously reached 3 World Cup finals. The Netherlands won their group with seven points after they beat Senegal and hosts Qatar both games ending in a 2-0 score line. They could only draw 1-1 with Ecuador though a nation who would finish 3rd. Coming into this tournament there didn’t appear to be any break out or dangerous players for the Dutch but that opinion has changed in the form of 23 year old Cody Gakpo, he has scored in every game so far and on each occasion has opened the scoring, could he be a star for the future and how far will his goals take the Dutch?
USA finished 2nd in their group behind England but of note did not lose a game, ending up with five points. They opened up their account by drawing 1-1 with Wales in a game they deserved to win and were only denied all three points after a late penalty. This was followed up by a 0-0 result against England, no mean feat against one of the tournament favourites which included 10 attempts on goal for the Americans. It was a draw but felt like a victory and they kept a clean sheet against a side who had just smashed six goals in against Iran. They finished the group by beating Iran 1-0 and although USA only scored 2 goals in their group they also only conceded one, which was not even from open play. It is clear that the nation have really worked on their defence and they should be a match for the Netherlands even if the Oranje have more quality in their squad.
Team News:
Netherlands: Jeremie Frimpong will be assessed due to his ankle injury, other than him the team has a clean bill of health.
USA: There have been concerns over main talisman Christian Pulisic who appeared to injure himself in his goalscoring celebration against Iran. However Pulisic himself has said he will be fine to start this game. Josh Sargent is out with an ankle injury, Weston McKennie has a muscle injury and may miss out although he will be assessed.
Netherlands vs USA Head to Head:
The nations have played each other 5 times with 4 Netherlands wins and 1 USA win.
The last time the teams played was back in 2015 in a friendly which USA won 4-3.
The last two meetings has seen 10 goals scored.
This game will mark the first time that the teams have played against each other in a competitive match.
Netherlands vs USA Prediction:
The Netherlands are a dangerous side and this may well be van Gaal’s final go at being a manager so a lot has been invested in this competition. He talked before the tournament started that his team can go on and win the trophy, but realistically not many have listened to him. The truth is that the Netherlands boast good but not great players and they have had better squads in past tournaments. However those same teams have infamously came to blows over tactics and imploded, this team for now seem much calmer. We have mentioned the forward Gakpo before and he looks a real talent and menace for any opposition teams, he is the dangerman that the USA will have to keep quiet. It is worth noting that Matthijs de Ligt and Nathan Ake are both on yellow cards, get one in this game and they will miss the quarter finals.
It’s difficult to see past Netherlands but at the same time we have to give respect to USA’s defence, of course apart from England they haven’t really been tested and this is their first big one. If they can keep the game at 0-0 anything is possible and this is a match that could escape them or could well go to extra time and penalties. We believe the USA are really good value on the handicap in 90 minutes. They look solid and stable enough to frustrate van Gaal’s side and in Pulisic who has had a very good tournament so far they can score goals.
Netherlands vs USA Betting Tips:
Double Chance (90 minutes): USA win or draw at 1.83
Anytime goalscorer: Cody Gakpo at 3.00
Both teams to score at 2.10
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