The Oranje are heavy favourites in these World Cup match day two Netherlands vs. Ecuador predictions. Louis van Gaal’s side will be looking to finish top of Group A but will need a win on Friday to do so.
Netherlands vs. Ecuador odds
1 – Netherlands to finish top of their group – 4/9
2 – Netherlands to win – 11/18
3 – Netherlands to keep a clean sheet – 5/4
4 – Memphis Depay to score first – 5/2
5 – Under. 3.5 goals scored – 6/17
With one game under their belts, Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands team take on Ecuador on Friday afternoon. The Oranje have rarely been in contention in discussions regarding World Cup favourites but this fixture offers an opportunity to impress.
The Dutch team has gone through a recent period of instability and return to the World Cup having missed the 2018 edition of the tournament. Since the return of van Gaal, the national team have returned to the upper echelons of international football and are our tip to finish top of Group A.
With their toughest opponent in Senegal already played, the remaining two fixtures are very much the Netherlands’ to lose. That being said, a defeat on Friday afternoon would be highly unlikely, given the opposition.
Van Gaal has brought a highly physical, well-organised team to the tournament – a feature arguably lacking in recent years. As a result, not only do we back the hosts to win, but also for them to keep a clean sheet against Ecuador.
In addition to their defensive strengths, the Oranje have been playing fluid attacking football. Memphis Depay, despite struggles at Barcelona this season, finished top scorer in the World Cup qualifiers with 12 goals to his name. Whether playing out wide or up top, he will be the team’s focal point on Friday – and is favourite to open the scoring.
Of course, a win against Ecuador is by no means guaranteed. Gustafo Alfaro has a squad full of quality and has ensured that they are particularly difficult to break down defensively. With six consecutive clean sheets La Tri will go into the game looking to frustrate their opponents, and a bet on under 3.5 goals may well pay off.
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Netherlands vs. Ecuador last five matches
Netherlands last five matches
Netherlands 1-0 Belgium
Poland 0-2 Netherlands
Netherlands 3-2 Wales
Netherlands 2-2 Poland
Wales 1-2 Netherlands
Ecuador last five matches
Ecuador 0-0 Iran
Japan 0-0 Ecuador
Saudi Arabia 0-0 Ecuador
Ecuador 1-0 Cape Verde
Mexico 0-0 Ecuador
Netherlands top World Cup qualification goalscorers
Memphis Depay – 12
Davy Klaassen – 4
Luuk de Jong – 3
Donyell Malen – 3
Giorginio Wijnaldum – 2
Ecuador top World Cup qualification goalscorers
Michael Estrada – 6
Enner Valencia – 4
Gonzalo Plata – 3
Pervis Estupinan – 2
Felix Torres – 1
Netherlands vs. Ecuador line-ups
Netherlands (3-4-1-1) Bijlow; Timber, Van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, De Jong, Berhuis, Blind; Gakpo; Bergwijn, Memphis
Ecuador (4-2-3-1) Galindez; Preciado, Torres, Hincapie, Estupinan; Franco, Caicedo, Gruezo; Valencia, Estrada, Romario
Netherlands team news
Both Matthijs de Ligt and Memphis Depay have been struggling with form and fitness in recent weeks with the former potentially missing out on Friday. Giorginio Wijnaldum will be a massive loss for Louis van Gaal, who may look to Steven Berghuis to provide a threat from midfield.
Ecuador team news
Gustavo Alfaro is not expected to make too many changes to the starting eleven that secured qualification. Offensively the team is built around the talents of Moises Caicedo, while Enner Valencia provides experience to a side that is otherwise comprised of exciting young talents.