World Cup 2022 Team Guide: Everything You Need To Know About The Netherlands

How will the Netherlands fare at the 2022 World Cup? Join @SteTudor123 as he looks at the three-time finalists in his everything you need to know guide ahead of this winter's competition...

Netherlands History at the World Cup

Holland’s history at the World Cup is one of glorious failure, comprising of ten appearances, on three of those occasions reaching the final, in 1974, 1978 and 2010. 

The first two of these marquee events – that each ended in defeat – stand out as landmark moments in the sport, as Oranje introduced the concept of ‘total football’ to an awestruck world.

It was football but in a different guise, alien and beautiful, and though the tactical innovation of players interchanging their positions had been witnessed before, never had it been executed with so much panache and fluidity. It blew our grandad’s socks off.

Its chief architect Rinus Michels was fortunate enough to call upon a stonewall genius in the form of three-time Ballon d’Or winner Johan Cruyff to best exhibit this new way of beating opponents and together with Arie Haan, Johan Neeskens and Johnny Rep they consecutively bested all before them, losing only to the eventual winners both times. 

Ask someone to name the World Cup winners of 1974 and 1978 and it will take a moment to recall West Germany and Argentina. They will immediately know who lost though, and gloriously so. 

Holland’s DNA of playing stylish fare still runs strong with a second and third generation of great teams emerging in the Eighties and Nineties, featuring Marco Van Basten and Ruud Gullit, then Dennis Bergkamp and the De Boer brothers. Their World Cup results however were mixed.

Presently, the Netherlands are ranked 8th in the world and long viewed as a global superpower it’s no surprise to learn their World Cup odds are competitively priced.

Netherlands Nickname

‘The Flying Dutchmen’ and ‘Clockwork Orange’ are occasionally bandied around but historically, and predominantly, the Netherlands are known simply as ‘Oranje’.

This may seem odd given that the national flag is made up of red, white and blue. In fact, the national kit colour pays homage to the Dutch royal family that hails from the ‘House of Orange’.  

World Cup 2022 Group

Seeded in Pot 2, the Netherlands were hugely fortunate to avoid any of the big-hitters, instead being drawn with Qatar, who as tournament hosts were placed in Pot 1. 

It could be argued that Louis Van Gaal’s side were less lucky with the other pairings, with Senegal the highest ranked team in Pot 3 and supposed minnows Ecuador being anything but. Yet still, this is a group Holland are expected to top.

Netherlands Fixtures:

  • Netherlands vs Senegal - 21st November 2022

  • Netherlands vs Ecuador - 25th November 2022

  • Netherlands vs Qatar - 29th November 2022

Netherlands Kit World Cup 2022

At first glance, Nike have produced a simple and straightforward design but study it a little more and the lighter shade of orange evokes Holland’s 1988 Euro triumph, the nations’ only major tournament success to date. 

Regrettably, the away number only evokes a training top though the orange badge and Nike motif are set off nicely by the royal blue.

Who Is The Netherlands Manager?

Vastly experienced and with an impressive array of honours to his name, this is Louis Van Gaal’s third stint as national coach, previously overseeing a disappointing period in the early 2000s, before guiding Holland to a World Cup semi-final in 2014.

In between, the ever-opinionated Amsterdammer has claimed league titles in three different countries and won the Champions League with Ajax. 

He is best known in the UK for a poor spell at Manchester United.

Best Netherlands Player

With Frenkie De Jong anchoring the midfield, and Memphis Depay a constant threat up front, Holland have the players to excel in Qatar, but they would not be the same team without Virgil Van Dijk leading from the back.

The fitness and form of Liverpool’s defensive colossus are fundamental to Holland’s hopes this winter.

Netherlands Odds at World Cup 2022

The Netherlands are 8/13 to win their opening fixture against Senegal but in truth better value can be found in the related markets, especially by backing goals. Van Gaal’s men averaged 3.3 goals per game across their qualifying campaign.

As regards to their World Cup winner odds the 12/1 that is currently available greatly appeals. Going all the way is not beyond this group of players. 

Bet on Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup with 888sport today!

 

October 10, 2022
World Cup 2022

By Stephen Tudor

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    Stephen Tudor is a freelance football writer and sports enthusiast who only knows slightly less about the beautiful game than you do.

    A contributor to FourFourTwo and Forbes, he is a Manchester City fan who was taken to Maine Road as a child because his grandad predicted they would one day be good.

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    World Cup 2022 Team Guide: Everything You Need To Know About Senegal

    How will Senegal fare at the 2022 World Cup? Join @SteTudor123 as he looks at the Lions of Teranga in his everything you need to know guide ahead of this winter's competition...

    Senegal History at the World Cup

    Gaining independence from France in 1960, Senegal steadily evolved as a footballing entity, regularly participating in the African Cup of Nations where initially they held their own, then later excelled, often reaching the latter rounds.

    In 2002, for the first time, they qualified for the World Cup, becoming only the second African country to do so, and pitted in a tough group featuring France, Uruguay and Denmark few gave them a realistic chance of progressing to the knock-outs.

    In the event, they surprised one and all, eventually exiting in the quarter finals. In hindsight, it is clear that so much of that surprise was born out of ignorance, because the players who shocked France in the opening game of the tournament, before navigating a path to the last eight, made up a very good team.

    Up front was El Hadji Diouf who soon after joined Liverpool. Bolstering the midfield was Papa Bouba Diop, later of Fulham fame. Among their number were Ligue 1 winners with Monaco. 

    People knew of their abilities later, of course, and in that sense, to lean on a cliché, this was the tournament that put Senegal on the footballing map. 

    In 2018, the team that is currently ranked 18th in the world again qualified for the biggest stage of them all. Sadly, on this occasion there was to be no upsetting of the football betting odds, as Senegal narrowly went out at the group stage. 

    Senegal Nickname

    Senegal are in possession of one of the coolest nicknames in international football, dubbed the ‘Lions of Teranga’.

    The first part is self-evident, lions being native to the country though, regrettably in recent years their numbers have seriously dwindled.  

    Teranga meanwhile may sound like a place but is actually a word that loosely translates as a ‘way of life’.

    World Cup 2022 Group

    Paired with the tournament hosts, Senegal were extremely fortunate to avoid any of the top seeds from Pot 1 when the draw was made back in April. The Lions of Teranga have the beating of rank-outsiders Qatar. 

    Less straightforward will be the Netherlands, sprinkled as they are with superstars while Ecuador are capable but unpredictable. In all likelihood, Senegal’s meeting with Ecuador in the final game will decide who escapes Group A, along with Holland. 

    Senegal Fixtures:

    • Senegal vs Netherlands - 21st November 2022

    • Senegal vs Qatar - 25th November 2022

    • Senegal vs Ecuador - 29th November 2022

    Senegal Kit World Cup 2022

    There’s no getting away from it, the Senegalese home kit is gorgeous. A work of art no less.

    Predominantly white, as a homage to their 2002 victory over France, a deep chevron of green, yellow and red houses a centralised star, badge, and Puma motif. The same three colours decorate the trim. 

    Their away shirt is less special, with Puma perplexingly having a front box number as a theme for their World Cup kits. 

    Who is The Senegal Manager?

    Across two decades, Aliou Cisse has led his country to historic achievements.

    In 2002, the former PSG midfielder became the first Senegal captain to reach an AFCON final. Twenty years later at the 2022 African Cup of Nations, he coached them to an inaugural international success. 

    This winter, he will be the first person to both play for, and manage, Senegal at a World Cup finals having skippered them in Japan/Korea. 

    Best Senegal Player

    We would've gone with Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane but he was recently ruled out of the tournament after picking up a late injury.

    On the basis of picking another player Senegal can ill afford to lose however, that has to be their long-time leader, Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly.

    The classy defensive unit, who for the Blues wears the number 26 shirt made famous by John Terry, is everything to his national side.

    Senegal Odds at World Cup 2022

    Senegal’s World Cup odds may be a distant 90/1 to win the competition but for them progression from Group A is the priority.

    Should they go on to match their 2002 counterparts and reach a quarter-final, they will each return to West Africa as heroes and kings. 

    Bet on Senegal at the 2022 World Cup with 888sport today!

     

    October 18, 2022
    World Cup 2022

    By Stephen Tudor

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    Stephen Tudor is a freelance football writer and sports enthusiast who only knows slightly less about the beautiful game than you do.

    A contributor to FourFourTwo and Forbes, he is a Manchester City fan who was taken to Maine Road as a child because his grandad predicted they would one day be good.

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    Venetia Williams Stable Tour & Horses To Follow (2022/23)

    Surrounded by beautiful countryside near Ross on Wye, Aramstone Stables is where Venetia Williams works her magic every year with the horses in her care. 

    Throughout her career, Venetia has won many significant races but none more so than in 2009 when she trained Mon Mome to his Grand National triumph.

    Here are five Williams trained horses that we feel you should be following in the 2022/23 National Hunt season:

    Royale Pagaille

    Royale Pagaille has become a high-class staying chaser in the last couple of seasons and was thought good enough to run in last year’s Gold Cup again where he finished fifth.

    Conditions however were not really testing enough for him, but if the Gold Cup 2023 became a testing affair he’d be right in there with a fighting chance.

    In the going he revels in, Royale Pagaille confirmed himself a top chaser when he came home a game winner of the Peter Marsh Chase under top weight for the second year at Haydock last season.

    His runner-up finish in the Denman Chase at Newbury was a solid enough effort but further underlined that he is at his best with some juice underfoot.

    Funambule Sivola

    Funambule Sivola made most of the running to win the Game Spirit Chase last term and looks like being another star for the stable.

    The seven-year-old was last seen being pulled up in the Melling Chase at Aintree but he can be forgiven that run after having a testing season.

    Bet Calculator

    He is a very small horse but a very intelligent jumper of his fences and will be very popular this year in the online horse racing betting markets.

    L’Homme Presse 

    A winner of five of his six starts last season, L’Homme Presse is going to be yet another popular pick with Venetia Williams fans this coming season.

    L’Homme Presse was an impressive winner of the Grade One Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase under Charlie Deutsch at the Cheltenham Festival and is sure to have some big targets again this season.

    https://www.888sport.com/blog/football-prediction

    Feature events such as the former Hennessey Gold Cup and the King George VI Chase are sure to be on Williams’ radar.

    Fontaine Collonges

    The exciting mare Fontaine Collonges made it three wins out of five starts as she continued her upward curve when she landed the Winter Million EBF Mares' Novices' Handicap Chase at Lingfield Park.

    She was put away thereafter and is sure to be competing for the top prizes again in the forthcoming National Hunt Season. If you fancy her for Prestbury Park in March, you can bet on Cheltenham here.

    Commodore 

    The ten-year-old grey Commodore may be a veteran now but he should once again be a leading player in some of the big staying handicaps this campaign.

    His jumping in last year’s Grade 2 Betfair Handicap Chase at Cheltenham was a joy to behold and any repeat of that performance will see him dominating this particular division.

    *Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

     

    FIRST PUBLISHED: 10th October 2022

    October 10, 2022
    Horse Racing

    By Steve Mullington

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    Steven is a sports and horse racing enthusiast and is a member of the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) in the United Kingdom.

    He is a regular visitor to Paris Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a lifelong fan of the Aintree Grand National, a subject he writes about 52 weeks of the year. Last year he reached the impressive milestone of attending the last 30 renewals of the Grand National.

    Steven graduated from the University Of Lancaster in 1996 with a B.A (Hons) in Urban Policy & Race Relations (major) with Contemporary Religions & Belief Systems (minor) and still wonders if any of these help him find the winners?

    He writes for a number of websites and online publications and you can sometimes hear him at the weekend discussing racing on a number of local radio stations. 

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    Neil Callan Blog: Fonteyn, Arc Review & Chelmsford Rides on Saturday

    Group 1 In The Bag

    It was a great feeling to get a Group 1 back in England with FONTEYN in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes, particularly for Kevin [Ryan] and Sheikh Obaid. Kevin and I go back a very long way and it meant more than just winning a Group 1 because it was for him.

    He was quietly confident ahead of the race. When you see Saffron Beach and Homeless Songs in there, you think you’ve got to be on your game, but he booked me quite well in advance.

    She looked magnificent in the paddock. She was nice and calm, and took the preliminaries well.

    When Kevin gave me the instructions, he said to try to follow something, but if she takes hold of the bridle let her breathe and let her run. After a furlong she took hold of the bridle, so I had to let her go on.

    When I sent her down into the dip, she went with me without having to come off the bridle much and I knew from that point that she was going to be first or second.

    You have to give credit to her toughness that she lengthened up the hill when she looked like she was going to get beat by Laurel.

    To come back to England and win at the top level so soon was great. I’m hugely grateful to Kevin and Sheikh Obaid for having the confidence in me to give me the ride and hopefully it will lead to more opportunities like that in the future.

    Sir Mark Prescott

    It was great for all the connections to win the Arc with Alpinista. Sir Mark [Prescott] is meticulous with his planning and the way he trains them.

    He maps out plans for them and the way he took her through a European Group 1 route, leading to the Arc, you have to applaud him for that.

    It’s great for him to get a mare like that at this stage of his career and it was a thoroughly deserved success.

    Chelmsford Rides on Saturday

    I go to Chelmsford on Saturday for six and first up is SUNRISE BOY in the seven furlong novice (4:53). He’s been well beaten on his first two starts, so hopefully he can put in a better effort here.

    LUCKYBOYLOVELYWIFE goes in the mile fillies’ handicap (6:00) for Marco [Botti]. I rode her last time at Newmarket when she ran a bit better to be fourth. She won her maiden at Beverley earlier in the season and we have to hope she can take another step forward.

    I was second on LELABAD last time out at Yarmouth who takes his chance in the mile handicap (6:30). He’s yet to get his head in front but he’s been very consistent. He looks to have a fair each-way chance.

    It’s nice to pick up a ride for The King and Michael Bell with SPRING IS SPRUNG in the six furlong handicap (7:00). I haven’t ridden this son of Oasis Dream before and he didn’t run too badly at Lingfield last time over seven furlongs. Hopefully the drop back to six will suit.

    MISS CONAISSEUR has her second start for Ben Case in the second division of the six furlong handicap (8:00). It’s a weak race but she still looks to have it all to do.

    My final ride of the day is MC’TED in the 10 furlong handicap (8:30). He’s had a good season, winning twice, and if he can repeat the form of his win at Newmarket two starts back then he should go close.

    Dewhurst Preview

    This looks like a great race. There’s an abundance of talent this year and it should be really exciting to watch.

    Nostrum and Naval Power are both unbeaten, Chaldean won the Champagne Stakes last time and you certainly can’t rule out Aesop’s Fables bouncing back to form for Aidan O’Brien who has such a great record in the race.

    If I was to be given a choice, I wouldn’t know which one to pick. That tells you how good a race it looks.

    FIRST PUBLISHED: 7th October 2022

    October 7, 2022
    Horse Racing

    By 888sport

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    The 888sport blog is here to offer betting and tipping advice on the biggest sports fixtures, events and competitions around the world.

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    World Cup 2022 Team Guide: Everything You Need To Know About Spain

    How will Spain fare at the 2022 World Cup? Join @SamRCox_ as he looks at the European giants in his everything you need to know guide ahead of this winter's competition...

    Spain History at the World Cup

    Spain have qualified for every World Cup since 1974, winning the tournament for a first and only time in 2010.

    The triumph in South Africa was the first time they had reached the last four since 1950, contributing to a reputation of underachieving when the pressure was on.

    The World Cup in 2010 was shrouded in controversy, with the Netherlands employing aggressive tactics in an attempt to disrupt the Spaniards.

    Nigel De Jong was infamously not sent off for a wild foul on Xabi Alonso, and eight different Oranje players ended up in the referee’s notebook.

    Spain dominated the ball, but had to wait until late in extra time, when Andres Iniesta became a national hero with the winning goal. 

    Of course, Spain also lifted the Euros either side of that World Cup win, proving themselves as one of the greatest national teams ever.

    Major disappointment followed that glory, though, with a group stage exit in 2014 and a penalty shootout defeat to Russia in the last 16 in 2018. 

    Across 15 World Cup entries, Brazil are the team Spain have faced most frequently. In their five matchups, Spain have only won once, which came back in 1934. Paraguay, Switzerland and Chile are the only teams they have more than one win against.

    Spain Nickname

    Spain are usually referred to as La Roja, or ‘The Red One’ in English.

    With their trademark red kits, it doesn’t take a great deal of brain power to figure out why. Fans might also hear La Furia Roja, meaning ‘Red Fury’, which is a nod to a famous moment in Spanish military history. 

    Other variants are also used, many of which have links to bullfighting and matadors.

    World Cup 2022 Group

    Spain are the betting favourites to progress from Group E despite being drawn alongside Germany. They will expect to win comprehensively against both Japan and Costa Rica.

    La Furia Roja have won their last two against Costa Rica, and beat Japan the only time the teams met back in 2001. 

    Spain Fixtures:

    • Spain vs Costa Rica - 23rd November 2022

    • Spain vs Germany - 27th November 2022

    • Spain vs Japan - 1st December 2022

    Spain Kit World Cup 2022

    The deep red of Spain’s home kits is iconic, and it’s hard to get it wrong. Adidas have produced a classical looking home attire, with navy and gold detailing around the collar, plus piping and a navy area down the sides. 

    The away version divides opinion, with an almost psychedelic light-blue pattern. They have stuck with red and yellow for the logo, matching the colour scheme for the Adidas stripes along the shoulders and sleeves.

    Who is The Spain Manager?

    Luis Enrique is the Spain manager for the 2022 World Cup.

    Named FIFA World Coach of the Year in 2015, Enrique guided Barcelona to the Champions League in 2014-15, and was in charge as Spain finished runners-up in the inaugural UEFA Nations League.

    He has the lowest winning percentage of any La Roja manager since the 1960s, but don’t be fooled, Enrique is an elite manager capable of taking the Spaniards on a deep run in Qatar.

    Best Spain Player

    This Spain squad might not have the extreme depths of talent that the groups did between 2008 and 2014, but this is still a collection of top-tier players. 

    There is no standout star – Sergio Busquets is probably the most well-known, while Liverpool’s Thiago is very familiar to followers of Premier League predictions.

    Barcelona’s ascendant teenage duo of Gavi and Pedri could well be Spain’s best players at this winter’s World Cup and for the next decade.

    Spain Odds at 2022 World Cup

    Spain are not among the inner-circle of World Cup odds favourites like some previous tournaments, but they are certainly a contender at 15/2 to lift the trophy. La Roja are expected to reach the last eight with an implied probability of 60%.

    The only time Spain have made it past the last 16 since 2002 was when they won the tournament in 2010.

    Unlike other top nations, they do not have a leading candidate for the Golden Boot, with Alvaro Morata given the shortest odds at 40s. 

    Bet on Spain at the 2022 World Cup with 888sport today!

     

    October 7, 2022
    World Cup 2022
    Body

    Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.

    He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.

    Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.

    Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.

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    World Cup 2022 Team Guide: Everything You Need To Know About Costa Rica

    How will Costa Rica fare at the 2022 World Cup? Join @SamRCox_ as he looks at the Central American side in his everything you need to know guide ahead of this winter's competition...

    Costa Rica History at the World Cup

    This is Costa Rica’s fourth World Cup appearance and their third in succession. Three of those ventures have ended in group stage exits, but the 2014 World Cup saw an improbable run to the last eight. 

    That was their best performance at a World Cup, and they were just a couple of penalties away from knocking out the Netherlands.

    With a population of around five million, Costa Rica punch above their weight on the international stage.

    They didn’t appear in a World Cup until 1990, but they have been a regular in the 21st century. The 2010 tournament in South Africa is the only time they have failed to qualify since the turn of the millennium. 

    Costa Rica are naturally more competitive in the Gold Cup, but they have fallen at the quarter-final stage in the two editions of the tournament since the last World Cup.

    More recent history shows this a team which can compete in Qatar, however, with wins over Canada and USA in 2022, plus a draw with Mexico in Mexico City. 

    Costa Rica Nickname

    The Costa Rican team has three nicknames. Los Ticos will often be used, and is how natives of Costa Rica are referred to. La Sele, or ‘The Selection’ in English, is also a popular Costa Rica nickname. 

    On occasion, they will be called La Tricolor, which is a nod to the three colours featuring the nation’s kits (red, white and blue). 

    World Cup 2022 Group

    Costa Rica were drawn in Group E for the 2022 World Cup, where they are sports betting outsiders alongside Spain, Germany and Japan. 

    Costa Rica Fixtures:

    • Costa Rica vs Spain - 23rd November 2022

    • Costa Rica vs Japan - 27th November 2022

    • Costa Rica vs Germany - 1st December 2022

    Costa Rica Kit World Cup 2022

    Costa Rica’s home kit for the 2022 World Cup isn’t the most exciting of the tournament. A red body has blue cuffs with white trim. New Balance haven’t been bold here.

    This design has been mirrored for the away edition, with a red New Balance logo standing out on the chest of a white base. The sleeve cuffs are blue on this occasion, for what could easily pass as an England shirt.

    Who is The Costa Rica Manager?

    Costa Rica’s manager is Luis Fernando Suarez. The Medellin native is something of a journeyman, having begun his managerial career in 1999. 

    Suarez had a successful stint with Ecuador in the noughties, overseeing their run to the last 16 of the 2006 World Cup, when they were knocked out by England.

    Best Costa Rica Player

    Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas is Costa Rica’s most famous player.

    Premier League fans will also be familiar with former Arsenal forward Joel Campbell, ex-Fulham Bryan Ruiz and Bryan Oviedo, who had spells with Everton and Sunderland. 

    The vast majority of Costa Rica’s squad for the most recent international break play in the country’s topflight, the Liga Promerica.

    Costa Rica Odds at 2022 World Cup

    Drawn into one of the tournament’s toughest groups, Costa Rica are a longshot to reach the knockout rounds in pre-tournament World Cup betting. Their results of late have been good, however, with just one defeat in 12 matches.

    888Sport’s World Cup odds price Los Ticos as long as 55/1 to win Group E, and they are out at 11/4 to beat Japan, which is their most winnable fixture. 

    Bet on Costa Rica at the 2022 World Cup with 888sport today!

     

    October 7, 2022
    World Cup 2022
    Body

    Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.

    He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.

    Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.

    Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.

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