Netherlands vs Latvia: Preview, Betting Tips, Stats & Prediction

Ace Football previews the World Cup qualifier between Netherlands and Latvia, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.

The Netherlands hope to kick-start their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign against Latvia in Group G on Saturday evening.

After being put to the sword by Turkey on Wednesday, the Dutch sit second-bottom in Group G and behind fourth-placed Latvia on an inferior goal difference. They’ll be determined to amend that in Amsterdam.

Given a superb head-to-head record, along with Latvia’s own respective struggles, a routine home win is expected in the Dutch capital.

Netherlands Form & Stats

Virgil van Dijk, Jasper Cillessen, and Stefan de Vrij’s absence left the Netherlands’ backline vulnerable. And Turkey didn’t need asking twice. The Crescent-Stars smashed four goals past the Dutch on Wednesday, with 35-year-old Burak Yilmaz bagging a remarkable hat-trick.

But while Davy Klaassen and Frenkie de Jong’s goals restored some pride, Memphis Depay’s missed penalty ended the 4-2 defeat on a sour note. Of course, it’s still early days for Frank de Boer. If the manager is to succeed, though, he must get back to winning ways. As of now, he has only won twice in six games (D3 L1) since succeeding Ronald Koeman.

On the upside, however, Netherlands have scored at least two goals in their last three matches. The hosts will be keen to continue that run in a must-win fixture, where anything less than three points is unacceptable.

Key Team Stats

• Scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 games in all competitions.
• BTTS in each of their last 5 games in all competitions.
• Won by 2 or more goals in 21 of their last 23 World Cup qualifier home games.
• Won to nil in their last 3 games against Latvia in all competitions.
• Frank de Boer has won only 2 of his first 6 games as manager (D3 L1).

Latvia Form & Stats

Despite Janis Ikaunieks scoring the opener, Latvia fell to a 2-1 home defeat to Montenegro in their Group G opener. Monaco star Stevan Jovetic took just a minute to equalize and scored a match-winner in the 83rd-minute.

But it was only the second defeat Latvia have suffered in nine games since January 2020 (W2 D5). The visitors head to Amsterdam off the back of solid away wins over San Marino and Andorra, and will hope to exploit the Netherlands’ weakened defense.

Getting a point, let alone a victory, will be a big ask. Even if the 11 Wolves are on a five-match unbeaten run on the road (W2 D3), Netherlands should represent a much sterner test than their previous opponents.

Key Team Stats

• Unbeaten in their last 5 away games in all competitions (W2 D3).
• Lost only twice in their last 9 games in all competitions (W2 D5).
• Lost 8 of their last 10 World Cup qualifiers (W1 D1).

Team News

Netherlands
Out: Jasper Cillessen.
Doubts: N/A.

Latvia
Out: N/A.
Doubts: N/A.

Predicted Line-ups

Netherlands (4-2-3-1): Krul; Dumfries, de Ligt, Blind, Wijndal; Klaassen, Frenkie de Jong; Berghuis, Wijnaldum, Bergwijn; Depay.

Latvia (4-4-2): Steinbors; Savalnieks, Oss, Maksimenko, Jurkovskis; Jaunzems, Zjuzins, Tobers, Ciganiks; Ikaunieks, Uldrikis.

Head-To-Head Record

Betting Tips

More Odds

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