WORLD CUP GROUP F: The Ultra previews NETHERLANDS v JAPAN with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
🏆 World Cup 2026 🏆
🇳🇱 Netherlands v Japan 🇯🇵
9pm Group F gets underway on Sunday evening UK time when the Netherlands open their campaign against Japan in Dallas on WORLD CUP 2026 Betdaq Betting Exchange! ! I flagged in my Group F preview that this was as competitive an opener as any group in the tournament, and nothing since has changed my mind – if anything the Dutch injury situation has only made it more intriguing. It would be a surprise if these two sides didn’t take up the top two spots in the Group given Sweden have dropped their level quite a bit in recent years. However, a loss for either side here obviously leaves them under immense pressure right at the start of the tournament. The Netherlands come into the game as the favourites at 2.14 with Japan 3.75 and the draw is 3.7 at the time of writing.
The Netherlands qualified by topping UEFA Group G, going unbeaten across eight matches with six wins and two draws, but they did have a reasonably easy Group with Poland the main challenger – and their level has dropped off a lot in recent years. On paper though, Netherlands have an excellent squad. Ronald Koeman (pictured below) has genuine depth and quality throughout his squad, headlined by captain Virgil van Dijk and talisman Memphis Depay, with Cody Gakpo, Frenkie de Jong and Tijjani Reijnders all in the mix. The problem is they just seem to fluff their lines when it matters at major tournaments. At Euro 2024 they needed a best third place to escape their Group before losing to Turkey at the Quarter-Final. It always feels like they should do better.
The big concern coming into this one is the state of the Dutch defence. Jurrien Timber was ruled out after failing to recover from a groin injury. Both Matthijs de Ligt and Stefan de Vrij also miss out through injury, leaving Koeman noticeably light on experienced central defenders beside van Dijk. Japan, by contrast, could hardly be arriving in better shape. They were the first nation outside the three co-hosts to qualify, winning their AFC Group while conceding just three goals in sixteen matches and scoring 54. The standard of that qualifying Group was quite poor though; but obviously they have had some huge results recently to boost their confidence – they added wins over Brazil and England in friendlies. They don’t have the most impressive squad, but at the same time they will not fear the Dutch one bit.
WORLD CUP 2026 Betdaq Betting Exchange!
I wouldn’t be rushing to take the 2.14 on the Netherlands here with their current injury worries. This has the look of a cagey, tight opener rather than a comfortable Dutch win. Add in the fact they have struggled in big tournaments, and with Japan well capable of frustrating and nicking something, the draw makes plenty of appeal in a fixture where neither side will want to lose their opener. That’s a nice position at 3.7, and another option has to be Under 2.5 goals at 1.95 but the Netherlands defensive situation does put me off that a little. I’m happy with a small bet on the draw in what should be a closer game than the odds suggest.
The Ultra Says:
One point win Draw at 3.7 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/WCNeJa
