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The Netherlands and Japan begin their Group F campaigns on Sunday evening in Dallas, with Sweden and Tunisia also in the section and a top-two finish guaranteeing a place in the knockout rounds.
The bookies would have anticipated a tighter affair on paper but with the injuries of Kaoru Mitoma, Takumi Minamino and Wataru Endo retiring it is no wonder the Netherlands are the favourites at Evens with Betfred while Japan are 11/4 with William Hill and Sky Bet are 11/4 for a draw too. You can also find more betting offers at the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers.
After reaching the Euro 2024 semi-finals and making the quarter-finals of both the last World Cup and the Nations League, the Netherlands arrive hoping to take the final step towards a long-awaited global title. This is their 12th World Cup appearance, and few nations have come so close so often without lifting the trophy, having lost finals in 1974, 1978 and 2010.
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Their first objective is to reach the last 16, and history suggests they are well placed: Oranje are unbeaten in 16 World Cup group matches since 1994. Ronald Koeman, who captained the Dutch at the US-based tournament that year, now leads them in North America as head coach.
However, preparation has been mixed – an unconvincing qualification campaign was followed by a defeat to Algeria that ended a 10-game unbeaten run, before a behind-closed-doors win over Uzbekistan secured by two Cody Gakpo penalties, the second deep into stoppage time.
Japan, meanwhile, head to an eighth straight World Cup still seeking a breakthrough beyond the last 16. Ranked 18th in the world, Hajime Moriyasu’s side are in excellent form, winning six consecutive friendlies and claiming notable scalps against Brazil and England. They also cruised through AFC qualifying, scoring 54 goals – more than any other team – and conceding just three as they became one of the first nations to book their place at the finals.
The Samurai Blue showed their pedigree in Qatar in 2022 by beating Germany and Spain before losing to Croatia on penalties, and they now face the Netherlands at a World Cup for only the second time, having gone down 1-0 in 2010.
- Netherlands to win to nil – 5/2 (William Hill)
- Memphis Depay to score anytime – 6/4 (Sky Bet)
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Netherlands number one Bart Verbruggen picked up a hip injury in their final World Cup warm-up, leaving Ronald Koeman facing a late decision in goal. Mark Flekken is the most likely replacement if required, with Robin Roefs another option.
Koeman is already without Jurrien Timber, while Jerdy Schouten (ACL), Matthijs de Ligt and chief creator Xavi Simons are also sidelined. In attack, Memphis Depay and Roma in-form Donyell Malen are both pushing to start.
Japan travel without captain Wataru Endo, who has retired from international football after failing to recover from a foot problem, while Kaoru Mitoma also misses out. Hajime Moriyasu is expected to use Takefusa Kubo and Junya Ito in support of striker Ayase Ueda, with the trio combining for 33 goal involvements in qualifying. Veteran full-back Yuto Nagatomo, 39, could make history if he features at a fifth World Cup.
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