Tension until the last minute
Even before the 2018 World Cup, it was once again said: without Holland, we’re going to the World Cup. If things go badly on Tuesday, then the World Cup in Qatar could again be without the Netherlands. In Group G, three teams still have hopes of bringing home the group win on this last matchday
The Dutch have the best prospects, of course, as they lead the group with 20 points and, above all, have the best goal difference. With a win and almost certainly a draw against Norway, the Eleven will punch their ticket to the World Cup in Qatar. Conversely, the Elks could also climb to the top with an away win.
The problem for the Norwegians is that they are third with 18 points, trailing Turkey by one goal. So Norway would have to win higher than Turkey in Montenegro. What is still important, however, would be second place, which at least entitles them to participate in the play-offs. Before the kick-off between Holland and Norway, we do not dare to predict the final standings.
It is clear that the Norwegians are under pressure. A win would mean at least second place. Unfortunately, Erling Haaland will not be available. With the attacker, the Elks might have a slightly better chance.
Holland – Statistics & current form
On Saturday, the decision was made in the Netherlands that spectators will again be locked out of the stadiums. So the international match in Rotterdam will be played in front of a ghostly backdrop. Bondscoach Louis van Gaal not only lacks the support of his own fans, he also finds it a great pity that his team will not be able to be celebrated by the supporters in case of a successful qualification.
Running with Louis
The Dutch have enough self-confidence that qualification will work out. After all, a draw should be enough and the eleven has not lost for six games. The Tulip General seems to be the promised saviour after all and that is why we are primarily checking the odds on a home win in the duel between Holland and Norway.
The Dutch missed their first match point last Saturday. After two goals from Memphis Depay, the Dutch were 2-0 up in Montenegro until the 82nd minute. A draw there would have been enough to win the group, but in the final phase the eleven let themselves in for two goals and now have to sit out Tuesday’s game.
Holland will be without many players on Tuesday, including Stefan de Vrij, Ryan Babel, Steven Berghuis, Cody Gakpo, Donny van de Beek and Luuk de Jong, but Louis van Gaal still has a squad with outstanding qualities that should be in the 2022 World Cup.
Predicted line-up of Holland:
Bijlow – Blind, van Dijk, de Ligt, Dumfries – de Jong, Klaassen, Wijnaldum – Bergwijn, Malen, Depay – Coach: van Gaal
Norway – Statistics & current form
The Norwegians have openly flirted with boycotting the 2022 World Cup in Qatar because of the undignified working conditions there during the construction of the stadiums. Nevertheless, they will do everything in their power to qualify in the home stretch and make a comeback on the big world stage after 1998 in France.
Haaland missing
The form is right and, after all, there has been no defeat in the last six games. The only problem is that a draw will almost certainly not even be enough for second place and even a win does not mean a safe first place. At least before kick-off between Holland and Norway, we wouldn’t make a prediction on the Elks’ World Cup participation.
The Norwegians’ starting position could have been a little better, but Stale Solbakken’s team dropped two important points on Saturday. They only managed a goalless draw at home against Latvia. This match showed how much the Elks are missing their superstar in attack.
Erling Haaland will not be available in Rotterdam either. With the injured Veton Berisha, Patrick Berg, Kristoffer Ajer, Jonas Svensson or Frederik Andre Björkan, other important players are missing. Sander Berge is also in domestic quarantine. The Norwegians would certainly have wished for a little less bad luck in terms of personnel before this crucial match.
Predicted line-up of Norway:
Nyland – Meling, Lode, Strandberg, Pedersen – Thorsby, Normann – Elyounoussi, Thorstvedt, Ödegaard – Sörloth – Coach: Solbakken
Holland – Norway Direct comparison / H2H-balance
To date, 21 duels between the national teams from the Netherlands and Norway can be found in the football history books. The direct comparison is in favour of Oranje with 9:5 victories, but not as clear-cut as one might have imagined. The two rivals have drawn seven times.
In the first leg in Norway, both teams met on equal terms. In September, however, the Elks still had Erling Haaland with them, who also gave his team a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes. Davy Klaassen saved Louis van Gaal’s debut when he scored before the end of the first half to make it 1-1.
Holland – Norway Tip
The Elftal simply cannot let them take the group win away from them. A draw will be enough to win the group and they have not lost in six games under Louis van Gaal. It sounds as if the Dutch will be able to celebrate their successful World Cup qualification on Tuesday, unfortunately without the locked-out fans.
However, the Norwegians are also unbeaten in six games. They will go on the attack and try to catch the Elftal with an away win. Without Erling Haaland, however, that will be an almost impossible task.
We rather think that the Dutch want to make things clear early at home. They have what it takes, because the squad has everything you need for a successful World Cup. That’s why we don’t think anything will go wrong on Tuesday and we’re offering HT/FT betting odds for the Elftal in the Holland vs Norway match.
