Tunisia vs. Netherlands Match Preview | OneFootball

This Group F fixture may look straightforward on the surface, but there’s much more at stake, though only for one side.

Dead Rubber for Tunisia

Tunisia, sadly, has nothing to play for except national pride. Their elimination was secured after a 5-1 defeat to Sweden, then a 4-0 thrashing from Japan. The team statistics don’t paint a particularly pretty picture. Through two matches, the Eagles of Carthage are last in total shots (8) and xg (0.17 average). They’re second to last on shots on goal (2), behind Iraq.

If not for Omar Rekik’s 42nd minute goal against Sweden, Tunisia’s entire campaign would be notable for the sudden firing of their coach Sabri Lamouchi after the opener. Newly hired gaffer Hervé Renard did absolutely nothing to shore up Tunisia ahead of the Japan game; it’s doubtful he can do anything against the Netherlands.

But that doesn’t mean they won’t try. Renard is a wily enough veteran to know that there are different types of “victory” when facing superior foes. It starts with playing a stubborn low block to frustrate the attack. The Dutch have already shown they’re vulnerable to a quick counterstrike, so Renard might throw the dice and give a young striker like Rayan Elloumi (Vancouver Whitecaps, 18 yrs.) or winger Khalil Ayari (Paris Saint-Germain’s B squad, 21 yrs.) a chance.

Elimination also means Renard can start players sitting on yellow cards, knowing a second yellow card will mean nothing. This means Rani Khedira, who sat out the last match, should get the call again.

Possible Starting XI

Aymen DahmenAli Abdi; Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida; Dylan Bronn; Omar Rekik; Yan ValeryRani Khedira; Ellyes Skhiri; Anis Ben Slimane; Hannibal MejbriRayan Elloumi

A Banana Peel for the Netherlands?

The Dutch draw with Japan means Oranje cannot take this fixture lightly. At the same time, with four points and a comfortable +4 goal differential, it would take an extraordinary series of events to nudge the Dutch out of the knockout phase even if they lose.

The Group F winner will host their Round of 32 fixture in climate-controlled Houston Stadium, where their triumph over Sweden occurred. The runner up must cross the border to play in Monterrey. This is quite a prize to play for.

The Netherlands unquestioningly played one the best matches of the World Cup when they eviscerated Sweden 5-1 on Matchday 2. They had two on the ropes before the first hydration break allowed the Swedes to regroup and stave off the Orange onslaught though the end of the opening half. Ultimately, however, the Netherlands’ possession, passing and clinical finishing proved too much for Graham Potter’s side.

If there’s any concern, it’s that the Netherlands has a tendency to play down to inferior competition. Coach Ronald Koeman should know this, however, and take steps to ensure that he fields young, hungry players who won’t waste an opportunity to show up – and put balls in the net. Quite honestly, anything less than victory by four or more goals will be a bit of a let down.

Don’t be surprised to see Koeman tinker a little (very little) on the starting XI. There are three players on yellows, but they’re big ones: Mickey van de Ven, Memphis Depay and Crysencio Summerville. Summerville, who had exactly two caps in friendlies prior to this World Cup, already has 2g/1a in 116 minutes of play but shouldn’t risk a suspension in this one. Not with players like Donell Malen or Noa Lang who could slot in.

Possible Starting XI

Bart VerbruggenNathan Aké; Virgil van Dijk; Jan Paul van Hecke; Denzel DumfriesRyan Gravenberch; Frenkie de Jong; Tijjani ReijndersCody Gakpo; Brian Brobbey; Donyell Malen

The Hooligan Take

Given all the boomerangs this World Cup group stage had thrown already, there’s a non-zero chance that the Dutch bottle it. 

But they won’t. I had a similar gnawing doubt before the Sweden game and Oranje came through. Hup Holland! 

Prediction: Tunisia 0 – 3 Netherlands