(Football news) Senegal going into this match have suffered a major blow as Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane has been ruled out of the tournament due to a fibula injury, which he sustained against Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga and according to German reports, he will need surgery. Head coach Aliou Cisse had hoped that the injury would only prevent the African Player of the Year from playing in the first match or two, but Cisse will now have to adjust his game plan to deal with the absence of the former Liverpool man. 

Mane was influential in the AFCON victory as his two winning penalties against Egypt helped Senegal seal its first ever Africa Cup of Nations title and also help cement their place in Qatar this year. Mane’s absence clearly leaves a major hole in the attack, with only Ismaila Sarr and Famara Diedhiou in double figures for goals scored for their national team. However, Cisse's side are known for its defensive stability as they are generally tough to break down, with six clean sheets in their last eight matches proved to be decisive in their recent AFCON success and qualification for the World Cup.

Netherlands on the other hand, head into the World Cup in excellent form under Louis van Gaal. They reached the UEFA Nations League finals for the second time in three seasons, while their record in the major competition's are often questioned. In the UEFA Nations League Group 4, all of their opponents – Belgium, Poland and Wales are going to compete in the World Cup and getting 16 from six matches is very impressive. Netherlands missed out on qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but in 2014 they did advance to the semi-finals under van Gaal's ultimately losing to Argentina in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw.

The Dutch are regarded as the biggest footballing nation to have never won the World Cup. They have lost three finals in 1974, 1978 and 2010 and there is growing belief that this set of players could win the tournament despite lacking a sprinkle of individual quality when compared to the other squads this World Cup. They will face a spirited team in Senegal and it will be important for them to start the tournament on a winning note in order to maintain high morale. They will be without their attacking talisman as Memphis Depay will be ruled out of their opening match due to a hamstring injury and Denzel Dumfries is also doubtful after being forced off during Inter last match against Atalanta.

Senegal possible starting lineup:

E. Mendy; Sabaly, Cisse, Koulibaly, Ballo-Toure; Kouyate, N. Mendy, I. Gueye; I. Sarr, Dia, Diatta

Netherlands possible starting lineup:

Pasveer; Timber, Van Dijk, Ake; Frimpong, F. De Jong, Koopmeiners, Blind; Klaassen; Gakpo, Bergwijn

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