The second round of Group A matches takes place on Friday. We take a look at both games from a betting angle.
Netherlands have shortened in to 2/9 favourites to win Group A after their victory over Senegal in the opener, Ecuador are 33/10 and you can get 20/1 Senegal and 90/1 hosts, Qatar.
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QATAR v SENEGAL
QATAR
It all went wrong for Qatar in their opening game against Ecuador and although VAR came to their rescue in the opening minutes it wasn’t long before they were 2-0 down and that is the way the score stayed. They looked very unsure of themselves at the back and didn’t offer a lot going forward as an attacking force. They are now bottom of the table with Senegal.
SENEGAL
Senegal were beaten 2-0 by the Netherlands in their opening game. They can count themselves somewhat unfortunate though as they were more than holding their own until the 84th minute when they conceded the first goal and then when pressed to move forward in injury time, Netherlands hit them with a late second just before the final whistle.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
These sides have never met in an International Competition.
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BETTING – Click here to bet
Qatar 5/1
Draw 28/10
Senegal 13/20
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Senegal -1.5 goals at 37/20
For this bet to arrive we need Senegal to win this game by more than a goal and based on what I saw from Qatar in the early opening round, there is every chance of this. Senegal will know that they need 3 points here to stand a strong chance of progressing and improving their goal difference will also be in the back of their minds.
NETHERLANDS v ECUADOR
These sides top the table in Group A after both had a victory in their opening games.
NETHERLANDS
The Netherlands left it late to beat Senegal 2-0 and those that took the 7/10 about them winning the game had to wait until the 84th minute for them to take the lead. The Netherlands have not lost a competitive match in 2022.
ECUADOR
Ecuador had the disappointment of an early goal disallowed against Qatar in their opener, but it didn’t take them long to bounce back with Valencia Enner scoring from the penalty spot in the 16th minute and then doubling the scoring in the 31st. That was the way things stayed until the end of the match.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
These sides last met in a friendly International way back in 2014 and the game finished 1-1.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Netherlands 5/6
Draw 26/10
Ecuador 15/4
Suggested Bet: The draw at 26/10
Both of these sides impressed me in their opening games although I am not sure if in Ecuador’s case it wasn’t just because Qatar was so poor. I think they are capable of holding their own against the Netherlands though and the draw looks nicely priced given that it wouldn’t be a bad result for either team.
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
