Group G is one of the tightest in European 2022 World Cup qualifying and on Tuesday the 16th of November we have a meeting between Netherlands and Norway.The match will be played at the Stadion Feijenoord, Rotterdam but in a blow to the Dutch, no fans will be allowed inside the stadium.
The hosts begin the final round of fixtures top of the group on 20 points but both Norway and Turkey are on 18 points and have a chance of automatic qualification.
𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 💥#WCQ2022 pic.twitter.com/leMuUrP8BH— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) November 14, 2021
𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 💥#WCQ2022 pic.twitter.com/leMuUrP8BH
Netherlands come into the match having picked up a point in a 2-2 draw at Montenegro on Saturday night. It was a disappointing result for the Dutch who took a two goal lead in the 54th minute and appeared to secure their place in Qatar.
However, Montenegro had other ideas and they scored two goals of their own, both of which came inside the final 10 minutes of the game.
That result means Netherlands are on a run of 6 matches without defeat, all of which have come in 2022 World Cup qualifying.
In fact, Netherlands and have lost only one of their last 14 games, including friendly matches with the defeat coming at the European Championship against Czech Republic.
Trends show Netherland’s most recent record of 8 consecutive games in World Cup qualification consists of no losses. They have won each of their last 7 home World Cup qualifying fixtures.
Norway make the trip to Rotterdam on the back of a 0-0 draw at home against Latvia. Much like the Dutch, Norway will see that as two dropped points and they could be in a much stronger position coming into this game if they had taken maximum points against a team they were tipped to beat.
Norway had 25 attempts at goal in comparison to just 6 from Latvia but could not make the breakthrough.
That result means Norway are undefeated in their last 6 fixtures, all of which have come in 2022 World Cup qualifying. They have picked up 3 victories and 3 draws in those 6 matches including a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture against Netherlands at the beginning of September.
Trends show Norway are difficult to beat away from home and they are undefeated in each of their last 5 away World Cup qualifying matches including a 1-1 draw in Turkey recently.
Team news and Netherlands do not have any players suspended for this final group game. Steven Bergwijn could come into the starting XI at the expense of Donyell Malen.
Norway are without injured striker Erling Haaland, which is a big blow. They could come into this game with a similar setup to the match in Turkey, with Kristian Thorstvedt playing in attack.
There is so much riding on this game that we could be in for a nervy night in Rotterdam. Netherlands can definitely qualify with a win but Norway are going to make it difficult and the match could end level, with under 2.5 goals scored.