Senegal vs Netherlands: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head

This will be the third match of the FIFA World Cup 2022

In the third match of the FIFA World Cup 2022, it will be the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal taking on the Netherlands at the Al Thumama Stadium, Doha on Monday. Senegal boasts a strong defensive unit but is missing its best-attacking player Sadio Mane who is ruled out due to injury. The Netherlands have fitness concerns of their own but come into their first World Cup since 2014 in excellent form. The Dutch are unbeaten in 15 matches since Louis van Gaal was appointed manager for the third time last year.

Netherlands form (all competition): W-W-W-D-W-W

Senegal form (all competition): D-W-W-L-W-W

Injury and team news

Memphis Depay is comfortably the top-scoring international in the Netherlands' squad but has been struggling with a hamstring issue since appearing for the Oranje in September. Van Gaal confirmed the forward would not start their World Cup opener as he continues his recovery. Denzel Dumfries and Marten de Roon remain doubtful starters for this match.

The efforts to treat the damage Mane sustained to his fibula on November 8 - including the use of a witch doctor - couldn't get the job done and he has now been officially ruled out of the tournament. Abdou Diallo is also a doubt with a knee problem.

Players to watch

Steven Bergwijn

Bergwijn is a great dribbler, and it is clear that it is not something he shies away from whilst on the ball. His pace and dribbling ability will cause a lot of trouble for the opposition team. He is also a good playmaker but in the absence of Depay, he will be the key player in the Holland attacking department.

Kalidou Koulibaly

Kalidou Koulibaly has built an incredible reputation as one of the most complete defenders in the game. Defensively, however, Koulibaly tends to get less involved in the game, and needs to be teamed up with a more defensive-minded central defender to balance the line, Koulibaly uses his upper body strength, rather than going for a ground tackle, to make a shoulder tackle on his opponents and tries to disturb their balance. He will be key for the Senegal defence as Holland will be a very difficult team to beat.

Head-to-Head stats

Both teams never faced each other previously, this will be the first time that they will be facing each other.

Predicted Lineup

Netherlands predicted lineup (3-5-2):

Pasveer; Timber, Van Dijk, Ake; Frimpong, F De Jong, Koopmeiners, Blind; Gakpo; Bergwijn, Janssen.

Senegal predicted lineup (4-3-3):

E Mendy; Sabaly, Cisse, Koulibaly, Ballo-Toure; PM Sarr, N Mendy, I Gueye; I Sarr, Dia, Diatta

Netherlands vs Senegal: Prediction

Mane has either scored or created nine of Senegal's last 14 goals in competitive matches. The Bayern Munich forward is a gargantuan loss to the frontline of Senegal. The absence of Memphis will be keenly felt by the Netherlands as well but Van Gaal arguably has more forward options to call upon than his opposite number. While their defensive resolve is far from faultless, Van Gaal's Oranje should have enough to overcome a Senegal side shorn of their star man.

Prediction: Netherlands 3 - 1 Senegal