Prediction: Netherlands vs Latvia

Prediction: Netherlands to win

Best Odds: 33/1

Bookmaker: Betfair

The Netherlands and Latvia will face each other in the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign in Group B this weekend. The Group G match is slated to kick off at 5pm UK time on Saturday.

Netherlands

Netherlands kicked off their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign on a very bad note. The Dutch suffered a 4-2 defeat to Turkey away from home in their opening Group G game on Wednesday evening. The Netherlands were expected to pick up all three points from the encounter, but they slumped to a surprise defeat.

Frank de Boer’s side will get a chance to make amends this Saturday when they face minnows Latvia at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam. Playing at home will give the Dutchman an advantage, and the players will be determined to bounce back from the surprise defeat to Turkey.

Team News:

De Boer is unlikely to make too many changes to the team that started against Turkey. Tim Krul, Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum all are likely to start.

Latvia

Along with Gibraltar, Latvia are the minnows in Group G. Not many will expect the Latvians to finish in the top two, with teams such as Norway, Turkey, the Netherlands and Latvia in the group. Dainis Kazakevics’s side lost their opening game of the group on Wednesday, going down 2-1 to Montenegro at home.

Latvia will head into the match against the Netherlands knowing that they are the underdogs and will not be expected to win. However, given the shock defeat that the Dutch suffered in Turkey, the Latvians will know that a point in Amsterdam is not outside the realms of possibility.

Team News:

Roberts Uldrikis and Dāvis Ikaunieks should start again for Latvia.

Key Factors to Consider

• Netherlands have won two of their last six games, losing one and drawing three.
• Latvia have won two of their last six matches, drawing two and losing two.
• The Netherlands have won all three of their previous games against Latvia.
• The Netherlands had 66% of the possession against Turkey.
• Latvia had 38% of the possession against Montenegro.

Conclusion

The Netherlands will be hurting following the defeat to Turkey, and they will be keen on picking up all three points against Latvia. There could be a few nervy moments at the start of the game, but De Boer’s side should be able to pick up all three points with ease in the end.

Prediction: Netherlands to win

Best Odds: 33/1

Bookmaker: Betfair