Netherlands vs Ecuador Prediction and Betting Odds – 2022 World Cup: Who Will Win?

💯 Netherlands vs Ecuador Betting Odds

At this stage, we’ll take a quick look at the main betting markets for the clash between Netherlands and Ecuador.

These include backing the match winner, both sides to score and the over / under market for total goals scored, while we’ve also collated the latest Netherlands vs Ecuador odds from our recommended betting sites.

🏅 Netherlands vs Ecuador Odds: Match Winner

Netherlands to Win	1.72	1.50	1.72	1.73	1.65	1.75	1.73
Ecuador to Win	4.72	3.70	5.10	4.75	3.70	4.80	5.00
Draw	3.63	6.75	3.55	3.50	4.80	3.50	3.60

⚽ Netherlands vs Ecuador Odds: Both Teams to Score

Yes	1.90	1.75	1.96	1.87	1.83	1.87	1.91
No	1.91	1.89	1.72	1.83	1.90	1.85	1.80

🥅 Netherlands vs Ecuador Odds: Over/Under 2.5 Goals

Over 2.5 Goals	1.92	1.82	2.06	1.95	2.05	1.95	1.91
Under 2.5 Goals	1.86	1.97	1.68	1.75	1.78	1.75	1.80

🏠 Netherlands World Cup Preview

While the Netherlands’ defensive organization failed them in Euro 2020 (particularly during their disappointing 2-0 round of 16 defeat to the Czech Republic), the side has embarked on an impressive 13-match unbeaten run since September 2021 and the re-appointment of Louis Van Gaal.

This run has included some notable World Cup qualification and UEFA Nations League matches, such as a composed (and decisive) 2-0 win over Norway in Rotterdam and a stunning 4-1 win in neighbouring Belgium.

As a result, the side has arrived in Qatar in outstanding form, while boasting an overall FIFA ranking of eighth and recognition as the sixth-best side in Europe.

They’ll also be full of confidence having beaten a competent Senegal side 2-0 earlier this week, despite there being significant room for improvement in their performance and the enforced absence of talisman Memphis Depay for most of the match.

🏆 Netherlands World Cup History

The Netherlands only played two competitive World Cup finals matches prior to 1974, losing both of these during tournaments in 1934 and 1938.

However, they starred in West Germany in 1974, as a side inspired by the incomparable Johan Cruyff and sublime Johan Neeskens won five of their seven matches to reach the WC final. However, they were denied the ultimate glory by the hosts, who survived conceding a second-minute penalty to win 2-1 thanks to a Gerd Muller goal.

Incredibly, a second final appearance followed in South America four years later, but once again a super-talented Dutch side succumbed to a host nation as Argentina prevailed 3-1.

A period of decline followed before Holland reached the quarter-finals in 1994 (eventually losing 3-2 to eventual winners Brazil). Another crop of hugely talented players fell agonisingly short in France ‘98, with the Netherlands eventually finishing fourth after a penalty shootout loss in the semi-finals (once again against Brazil).

The Netherlands have performed well in more recent tournaments too, reaching their third final and losing to Spain in South Africa and claiming an impressive third-place finish after an excellent run in Brazil in 2014.

✔️ Netherlands Qualification and Road to the World Cup 2022

The Netherlands failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2018, so there was a great deal of pressure on the side when they started their 2022 campaign in UEFA Group G.

However, they managed to win seven and lose just one of their 10 qualification matches, ultimately sealing the top spot in the group by two points from Turkey and earning an automatic place in Qatar.

The campaign also includes some impressive victories, including a 6-1 demolition of Turkey in Amsterdam (the Dutch had lost the reverse fixture during the opening round of fixtures) and a 7-0 win in Gibraltar.

⭐ Netherlands Players to Watch

There’s a plethora of stars featured in the Netherlands squad, many of whom are likely to feature in the upcoming match against Ecuador. The team at Betinireland has identified three of the best that you should keep your eyes peeled for during this game and the remainder of the World Cup.

• Matthijs de Ligt: While De Ligt’s centre back partner Virgil Van Dijk may take the plaudits at the back for the Netherlands, his younger partner remains a truly outstanding player. Despite having only just turned 23, the Bayern Munich player and former Ajax star has already amassed 255 club appearances for three of the biggest clubs in Europe, while he has won 38 international caps to date. He also has two goals for his country and continues to offer a direct threat from free-kicks and corners.
• Frenkie de Jong: Next up is the 25-year-old Frenkie de Jong, who has remained at the centre of a protracted transfer tug-of-war between Manchester United and current club Barcelona throughout the summer. Regardless of what his club future holds, however, de Jong is a superb technician who can play either as a holding or box-to-box midfielder, and while he only has one goal in 44 international caps to date, his ability to dictate play and create chances is invaluable for the Dutch. He also excelled in the opening game against Senegal.
• Tyrell Malacia: This tenacious 22-year-old left-back has already impressed Manchester United fans, with his aggression, tackling ability and purpose striking for one so young. He also offers pace and a consistent outlet in attacking, where overlapping outside his wide forward or underlapping and making decoy runs inside. He has also represented the Netherlands at virtually every youth level, before making his senior debut against Montenegro on September 4th 2021 (he has won five caps overall).

📰 Latest Netherlands World Cup News

✈️ Ecuador World Cup Preview

While the Dutch are ranked eighth by FIFA, their second opponents in Group A are only considered to be the 44th best side in the world.

Interestingly, their ranking also dictates that they’re only the seventh-best South American side, but it should be noted that they managed to qualify for World Cup ahead of 17th-ranked Colombia and a Chile side that is 29th in the world.

Since losing in Venezuela on October 10th, Ecuador lost only one of their remaining nine World Cup qualifiers to seal the fourth and final automatic CONMEBOL place ahead of Peru.

Ecuador have only lost one of their 12 matches since the defeat in Caracas and prior to the World Cup finals, while their 1-1 draw against Argentina in March (which saw the side seal their World Cup qualification with a last gasp goal) showcased their ability to compete with the very best.

They were also quietly impressive in overcoming hosts Qatar and quietening an initially raucous home crowd in the opening game of the tournament and will take on the Netherlands in a confident frame of mind.

🏆 Ecuador World Cup History

Like their Group A rivals Senegal, Ecuador have a limited World Cup finals history and didn’t actually qualify for the tournament until 2002.

This tournament saw them exit at the group stage, despite the side claiming their first finals win (against Croatia in Yokohama) and finishing with three points from their three matches.

The next tournament in 2006 saw the side perform a little better, as they qualified from a tough group (which included hosts Germany) and managed to win two of their three matches against Poland and Costa Rica. They were subsequently beaten 1-0 by England and a superb David Beckham free-kick in the round of 16.

Since then, Ecuador have only appeared in one other tournament, when they suffered a further group stage exit in Brazil in 2014. So, having made the 2022 finals, they’ll be hoping that their win over Qatar can be the springboard for another round of 16 appearances this time around!

✔️ Ecuador Qualification and Road to the World Cup 2022

As we’ve already touched on, Ecuador’s path to the 2022 WC finals in Qatar was far from smooth, as the side edged the fourth and final automatic qualification place by two points from Peru.

To this end, they won seven, drew five and lost six of their games, scoring 27 goals and conceding 19 to earn 26 points in total.

Notable wins included home victories against Uruguay (4-2) and Colombia (6-1), while Enner Valencia’s 93rd-minute equaliser against Argentina in Guayaquil ensured that Ecuador qualified for the finals in the most dramatic of ways.

⭐ Ecuador Players to Watch

Ecuador have a few relatively well-known players in their squad, with stars plying their trade in the Bundesliga, Premier League, Ligue One and numerous other European competitions. Below, we’ve selected three stars that you should keep your eyes on this winter:

• Enner Valencia: We’ll start with Ecuador’s talismanic forward and skipper Enner Valencia, with the 32-year-old leader having won 73 international caps and scored an impressive 37 goals (including both strikes in the 2-0 win over Qatar in the country’s opening WC game). The striker struck three goals during qualifying for the 2022 World Cup too, including that all-important, last-gasp equaliser against Argentina in the final round of matches. Interestingly, Valencia has scored each of Ecuador’s last five FIFA WC finals goals, with this tally one shy of the record held jointly by Eusebio (Portugal, 1966), Paolo Rossi (Italy, 1982) and Oleg Salenko (Russia, 1994).
• Moisés Caicedo: Despite being just 20, Moisés Caicedo has already made a name for himself in the Premier League with Brighton & Hove Albion. Combative and dynamic in equal measure, the midfielder is fast becoming the heartbeat of Ecuador’s side, while has also shown a sharp eye for goal since making his debut during qualifying against Argentina in 2020. To this end, he scored two goals during qualifying against Uruguay and Chile, contributing to crucial wins that helped secure his side’s place in Qatar. He also starred during the victory against Qatar.
• Gonzalo Plata: The 21-year-old winger is one of Ecuador’s brightest stars, having already made 28 international appearances and scored five goals for his country (including three during World Cup qualifying against Uruguay, Colombia and Peru). His eye-catching form and searing pace also earned him a permanent contract at Spanish side Real Valladolid until 2027, with the forward having enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2021/22 as he made 30 senior appearances and scored six goals in the Segunda División.

📰 Latest Ecuador World Cup News

🥇 Netherlands vs Ecuador Prediction - Who Will Win?

As you can see from the listed odds, the Netherlands are overwhelming favourites to beat Ecuador and continue their path towards qualification from Group A.

However, it cannot be denied that Ecuador boasts a significant goal threat in the form of players like Enner Valencia, who will be looking to make history by scoring a sixth successive WC finals goal for his nation. There also remains a sense of vulnerability around the Dutch defence at times (as witnessed during the 4-2 defeat to Turkey in qualifying), even though Senegal struggled to capitalise on their opportunities in the absence of their talisman Sadio Mane.

So, while we expect the Netherlands to prevail and potentially secure their place in the last 16, Ecuador will likely make a game of it and cause significant issues for their rivals on the counterattack as they also look to win their second group A game.

Our Netherlands vs Ecuador match prediction: Netherlands to win.

🔍 Our Netherlands vs Ecuador Betting Tips?

We don’t see this game offering much value from the perspective of match betting, with the Netherlands priced really short and Ecuador arguably unlikely to win. Handicap betting may also be something of a busted flush, especially given the competitive nature of the South American side and their goal threat.

🎁 Netherlands Vs Ecuador World Cup Free Bets

Regardless of which wagers you place and the outcomes of your forecast, you’ll want to check out the recommended free bets below before staking your money.

These will unlock ample Netherlands Vs Ecuador free bets, enabling you to get better value for money and achieve superior returns over time!

Sportsbook	Offer	Visit Sportsbook
	Free Bet Offer up to €100	Visit Palmslots Sport
	Receive up to €50 in Free Bets	100% Matched Free Bet up to €100
	100% Matched Free Bet up to €100	Bet €10 Get €50 in Free Bets
	Profit Boost Welcome Bonus up to €400	Bet €10 Get €50 in Free Bets
	Free Bet Offer up to €50	Bet €10 Get €50 in Free Bets
	€20 Free Bet Bonus	Bet €10 Get €50 in Free Bets
	€30 free bet Welcome Bonus	Bet €10 Get €50 in Free Bets
	€100 Bets Bonus Offer	Bet €10 Get €50 in Free Bets
	Receive up to €20 Free Bet Bonus	Bet €10 Get €50 in Free Bets
	Cash back bonus up to €40	Bet €10 Get €50 in Free Bets
	100% Matched Free Bet up to €100	Bet €10 Get €50 in Free Bets
	€35 Free Bets Welcome Bonus	Bet €10 Get €50 in Free Bets

✒️ Lewis Humphries - Sports Journalist, Tipster and Betting Expert

This Netherlands vs Ecuador Prediction was written by Lewis Humphries. Lewis is a business and iGaming copywriter from the UK, who has a passion for sports betting and online casino gaming. He's reviewed some of the world's leading casino platforms, while creating blog posts and landing page content for various sports betting brands.

His content has also featured on a number of different sites, including Life Hack, Investopedia, Yahoo Finance and Business Insider. He also pens regular sports features for sites including 90 Minutes, Think Football Ideas and Sportsblog.