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Josh Gross
Netherlands World Cup Team Preview
Netherlands
FIFA Ranking: 8
Manager: Louis van Gaal
Federation: UEFA
Group: Qatar, Netherlands, Senegal, Ecuador
Odds to win World Cup: +1400, Caesars
Odds to win Group A: -185, FanDuel Sportsbook
Odds to advance in Group A: -750, BetMGM
How did the Netherlands qualify for the World Cup?
It’s been a tale of two stories regarding Holland’s qualifying campaign. The Dutch started off with a 4-2 loss to Turkey to start Group G and then got bounced in the round of 16 at the Euros, which led to Frank de Boer getting sacked. After van Gaal was hired, Holland returned to form with a seven-match unbeaten run to win Group G over Turkey by two points.
Who is Netherland’s most important player?
The Dutch have a plethora of star players, including Frankie de Jong, Memphis Depay, Matthijs de Ligt and Stefan de Vrij and while Frankie de Jong controlling the midfield and pace of play is crucial, Virgil van Dijk remains this team’s most important player. Virgil Van Dijk is regarded as one of the top defenders in the world and captains not only the Dutch but Liverpool as well. Van Dijk is the only defender to win UEFA Men’s Player of the Year and was also a runned-up for the Ballon d’Or.
What are Netherland’s strengths, weaknesses, style of play and form?
The Dutch play their signature hybrid 3-4-3/ 5-2-3 style with three center backs and three forwards.
By far their greatest strength is their defense with the expectation that they will be starting three world class center backs in Virgil van Dijk, Stefan de Vrij and Matthijs de Ligt. We could also see them start one of Nathan Aké or Daley Blind as well.
As strong as their defense is, their biggest weakness is at goalkeeper. It’s been said by van Gaal publicly that he still is unsure who their number one is yet. Their four options are Jasper Cillessen (expected to be the starter), Mark Flekken, Remko Pasveer and Justin Bijlow.
The Dutch head to Qatar in great form, unbeaten in their last ten matches including a 1-0 win over Belgium on September 25th.
What is the Netherlands World Cup Outlook?
Holland is currently listed as the seventh-biggest favorite to win, but they are certainly a team that is capable of winning it all as they have arguably the strongest defense in the tournament. Expectations for this team is to reach the semi-finals with anything worse than a Quarter-Finals appearance viewed as a complete failure.
Best Netherland’s World Cup Bet
Group A Winner (-185, FanDuel Sportsbook)
Netherlands Projected World Cup Roster
Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow, Remko Pasveer and Andries Noppert
Defenders: Daley Blind, Stefan de Vrij, Virgil van Dijk, Matthijs de Ligt, Denzel Dumfries, Nathan Ake, Jurrien Timber, Tyrell Malacia and Jeremie Frimpong
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong, Steven Berghuis, Davy Klaassen, Marten de Roon, Teun Koopmeiners, Kenneth Taylor and Xavi Simons
Forwards: Memphis Depay, Luuk de Jong, Steven Bergwijn, Vincent Janssen, Wout Weghorst, Cody Gakpo and Noa Lang
Group A | Ecuador Senegal Netherlands Qatar
Group B | Iran Wales USA England
Group C | Mexico Saudi Arabia Poland Argentina
Group D | Tunisia Denmark Australia France
Group E | Japan Germany Costa Rica Spain
Group F | Croatia Morocco Canada Belgium
