Tunisia vs Netherlands
One nation is in pole position to top its group; the other knows it is going home.
One nation hit five during an impressive display last time out; the other shipped four and looked totally devoid of ideas.
Expecting another one-sided World Cup 2026 contest in Kansas? I know I am.
Talking Points
Let’s face it, Tunisia always faced an uphill task in Group F once they were paired with Holland, Sweden and Japan.
The reality has been even more sobering though.
After their opening defeat, 5-1 to Sweden, they sacked their manager Sabri Lamouchi after just five months and five matches in charge.
In came a replacement, renowned French tactician Hervé Renard.
Now he is a boss with pedigree – Renard has enjoyed some success at this level before too, leading Saudi Arabia to a magnificent 2-1 victory over eventual champions Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, and he also guided them to this World Cup.
But he has had little time to work with his new charges and they remained pedestrian in a 4-0 loss to Japan last time out, a result which confirms they are on the plane home after this one, regardless of the result.
Renard’s sole aim will be to salvaged some pride before presumably departing his post, unless any further negotiations are forthcoming. While he has a full strength squad to choose from, it obviously lacks the overall quality of that in the Holland ranks.
They have four points so far, an exciting opening 2-2 draw with Japan followed by an impressive 5-1 thrashing of the Swedes as they turned Texas orange.
It was a match in which Sunderland frontman Brian Brobbey set them on their way with a double and he should keep his starting berth at the tip of the attack if he overcomes a knock sustained against the Swedes.
In a Premier League cleansweep, Cody Gakpo added a quickfire double before Crysencio Summerville notched a fifth in that game.
The Dutch could welcome back Quinthen Timber, who missed the win over Sweden due to concussion.
The Oranje know one more set of World Cup 2026 highlights will almost certainly seem them top the group.
If you believe in omens, then it’s Holland all the way.
They have never lost in the World Cup against African opponents (won four, drawn one), while the North Africans have won only one of their 13 World Cup meetings with European nations (drawn four, lost eight), while they have also won just three of 20 games in World Cup history (drawn five, lost 12).
History
The three meetings between the countries to date have all been friendlies.
Most recently in 2009 in Tunis when the sides shared two goals in four minutes midway through the second half – Jamel Saihi quickly cancelling out Klaas Jan Huntelaar’s 62nd minute opener.
April 1978 at the same venue was the inaugural meeting when the Dutch, who would go onto reach the World Cup Final a few months later, ran out comfortable 4-0 winners, courtesy of Dick Nanninga (two), Henk van Leeuwen and Pierre Vermeulen.
In 1994 in Tunis, the sides drew two apiece with Holland then mentioned by the now Curacao coach Dick Advocaat.
The home nation led twice that day through Faouai Rouissi and Ayedi Hamrouni but each time Holland quickly hit back via two Dutch greats, Frank Rijkaard and their now manager Ronald Koeman.
Betting Tip
Our SBOTOP World Cup 2026 betting odds for this fixture are the most one-sided I’ve known.
Tunisia are not even expected to get a draw given that is priced 1X2 @ 8.40, while a re-run of their last encounter, Correct Score 1-1, will pay out @ 17.00.
Victory for the side ranked 57th in the world is not expected but it will earn you a very tidy pay day indeed if you opt for Tunisia 1X2 @ 17.50 and Asian Handicap +2.00 @ 2.33.
Holland are such big favourites, both 1X2 @ 1.13 and Asian Handicap -2.75 @ 2.38.
There will be goals, I would imagine, and the bets to have caught my eye include over 3.75 @ 2.49, total goal 2-3 @ 2.24 and 4-6 @ 2.39.
Total goal 0-1 @ 5.10 suggests this will be no low scoring affair.
Even if Koeman rests some key men for this group, they should have far too much for a nation which has already been knocked out.
For me, this will be a romp and my *** tip is over 3.75 goals @ 2.49.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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