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Preview: Netherlands vs. Ecuador - Prediction, Team News, Lineups

The Dutch team will be hoping for another good result against Ecuador, which was already buoyed by defeating hosts Qatar. Both sides went all-out 2-0 in their first games, with the Netherlands knocking out Senegal and Ecuador taking out hosts Qatar.
Where: Khalifa International Stadium
When: Friday, November 25, 7 pm (16:00 GMT)

Match Preview

The Netherlands had to be patient against Senegal on Monday, as it looked likely the points would be split in their opening match, with the two teams drawing 0-0 before the final whistle blew.
However, Cody Gakpo gave the Netherlands the lead in the 84th minute of the game, before Davy Klaassen grabbed the score in the ninth minute of stoppage time in the late 90th minute, with Van Gaal's side taking the lead. The perfect start to their Group A campaign.
The Netherlands will face Ecuador on Friday before concluding the group stage with hosts Qatar next Tuesday, and it will be interesting to see what this group of players can achieve in the tournament, as the Netherlands have impressed in their last two World Cups. The national team that has never won the World Cup was absent from 2018 final, but they reached the final of the 2010 competition before finishing third in 2014.

If Van Gaal's army wins Group A, they will meet the second team of Group B in the round of 16, which could be England, Wales, the US, or Iran. However, the Netherlands won't look too far at this stage, especially before a showdown with a talented Ecuador, who proved too strong for the hosts in Sunday's opener.
Louis van Gaal's men got their World Cup campaign off to a good start as they won 2-0 over Senegal on Monday thanks to late goals from Davy Klaassen and Eredivisie top scorer Cody Gakpo.

Team News

Netherlands

Source: Khelknow

Memphis Depay was deemed unfit to start the Netherlands v Senegal due to his injury for Barcelona this season, but he played the final 30 minutes of the game. The attacker, who has 42 goals at the international level, can now start here, replacing Vincent Janssen, with Gakpo and Steven Bergwijn also set to feature in the bottom third.
There won't be any changes elsewhere, with a 3-5-2 formation consisting of Frenkie de Jong and Steven Berghuis in midfield, and Denzel Dumfries and Daley Blind at full-back.
Ecuador

Source: footballwhispers

Valencia suffered a knee injury in the clash with Qatar on the Ecuador side, but the 33-year-old will likely be ready to play from the beginning of this match.
Valencia is the national team's all-time leading scorer with 37 goals, while he currently has five at World Cups, so the medical team will work to ensure that he can be here. Head coach Alfaro could make just one change from the team that started the match against Qatar, with Jeremy Sarmiento potentially being introduced in place of Michael Estrada in a roster change.
However, Robert Arboleda is struggling for a spot at the back, and the 31-year-old will be on the manager's radar ahead of Friday's game.

Source: theanalyst


Netherlands' possible starting lineup:


Noppert; De Ligt, Van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, F de Jong, Berghuis, Blind; Gakpo; Memphis, Bergwijn

Ecuador's possible starting lineup:


Galindez; Preciado, Torres, Hincapie, Estupinan; Plata, Caicedo, Mendez, Ibarra; Sarmiento; Valencia

Prediction:

Netherlands 2-1 Ecuador
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