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The Lions of Teranga will kickstart their World Cup campaign in Qatar with a clash with the Oranje of Netherlands tomorrow at the Al Thumama Stadium by 17:00 WAT.
Match Venue And Kick-Off Time
The Senegalese will head into the game on the back of a four-game unbeaten streak, having won three and drew one.
This will be their third World Cup appearance – 2002, 2018 and 2022 – as they look to go further than they did the last time out.
The Netherlands had a good run during the tournament’s qualifying matches, having lost just once which came against Turkey in March 2021.
They will head into the game on the back of a ten-match unbeaten streak in all competitions, win their last lose coming against the Czech Republic in June last year in the round of 16 of the Euro tournament.
Team News
Senegal
Aliou Cisse will be gutted by the ruling out of Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mané, after he sustained an injury during a game for the German giants. However, he has other options to fill the forward’s shoe in the competition.
He is expected to play a 4-3-3 formation for the game with the likes of Krepin Diatta, Boulaye Dia and Ismaila Sarr leading the attack.
The trio of Pape Sarr, Nampalys Mendy and Idrissa Gana Gueye are expected to anchor the midfield.
Kalidou Koulibaly and Abdou Diallo are expected to play as center backs while Yousouf Sabaly and Ballo-Toure play from right-back and left-back respectively, with Edouard Mendy in-between the sticks.
Possible Formation (4-3-3)
Potential Starting XI: Mendy; Sabaly, Koulibaly, Diallo, Ballo-Toure; Sarr, Mendy, Gueye; Diatta, Dia, Sarr.
Netherlands
Louis Van Gaal could go with a 3-5-2 formation, in order to attack more with his wing-backs.
The Dutch tactician is expected to name Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow to man the goalpost.
With a a back three of Jurrien Timber, Stefan de Vrij and Virgil Van Dijk while Denzel Dumfries and Nathan Akè play as wing-backs.
Frenkie De Jong and Daley Blind are expected to play as defensive midfield in a double pivot, with Cody Gakpo playing as the central/ attacking midfielder.
While Steven Bergwijn and Vincent Janssen lead the attack for the Oranje.
Possible Formation (3-5-2)
Potential Starting XI: Bijlow; Timber, Vrij, Dijk; Dumfries, Jong, Gakpo, Blind, Akè; Janssen, Bergwijn.
