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Playing for the final time before the 2026 World Cup gets underway, the Netherlands will look to head into the tournament on a positive note when they take on Uzbekistan at Icahn Stadium on Monday.
The Oranje saw their 10-match unbeaten run come to an end with a surprise defeat to Algeria in their previous warm-up fixture, but Ronald Koeman's side will view this contest as an opportunity to regain momentum and sharpen up ahead of football's biggest stage.
Uzbekistan also arrive on the back of a defeat after losing 2-0 to Canada, although that result represented only their second loss in their last 18 matches across all competitions.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Netherlands vs Uzbekistan key stats
- Netherlands have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last three matches.
- Uzbekistan have lost only once in their last seven matches across all competitions.
- Four of Netherlands' last five matches have produced under 10.5 corners.
Netherlands vs Uzbekistan preview: Final preparation before the World Cup
| Netherlands | vs | Uzbekistan |
|---|---|---|
| 7th | FIFA Ranking | 50th |
| Memphis Depay – 109 | Most Caps | Eldor Shomurodov – 91 |
| Memphis Depay – 55 | Most Goals | Eldor Shomurodov – 44 |
| 850 | Total Caps | 889 |
| 151 | Total Goals | 126 |
| Zero | Uncapped Players | 1 |
The Netherlands remain one of Europe's traditional heavyweights and possess a proud World Cup pedigree, having reached the final on three separate occasions.
In recent years, the Oranje have consistently challenged at major tournaments, reaching the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup and the UEFA Nations League, while also making the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
Having repeatedly gone close on the international stage, Koeman's side will believe the time has come to mount a genuine challenge for the trophy, although they must first navigate a tricky group containing Japan, Sweden and Tunisia.
The Dutch have arrived in the USA without several notable names, with Jerdy Schouten, Matthijs de Ligt and Xavi Simons all sidelined through injury, while Liverpool wing-back Jeremie Frimpong failed to make the final squad following an underwhelming campaign.
Uzbekistan are preparing for their long-awaited World Cup debut, and while expectations may be modest, they possess enough quality and organisation to trouble a few of the tournament's more established nations.
The Central Asian side have been handed a difficult assignment in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia and DR Congo, but they have developed a reputation for being tough to break down, suffering just two defeats since their AFC qualifying loss to Qatar at the end of 2024.
The White Wolves are now under the guidance of World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, and the Italian will be eager to ensure his side arrive in Mexico City full of confidence ahead of their historic opening match.
Although the majority of the squad ply their trade in the domestic league, Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov and former Roma striker Eldor Shomurodov – Uzbekistan's all-time leading goalscorer with 44 international goals – remain the standout names capable of inspiring the nation on football's biggest stage.
Netherlands vs Uzbekistan form guide & betting tips
| Netherlands | vs | Uzbekistan |
|---|---|---|
WWWDL |
Form | LWWDL |
| 11 | Goals For | 9 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 9 |
DWWDL |
[COMPETITION] | DWWWL |
Whispers predicts: Netherlands 2-1 Uzbekistan
Both sides will look to avoid a defeat, and head into the tournament with a positive frame of mind, but given Netherland's overall quality, they are likely to grab a win.
The Dutch side have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last three matches, and thus BTTS – Yes at 5/6 (1.83) could be on the cards.
The Oranje were involved in some high scoring matches over their course of their World Cup qualifying campaign, and thus over 2.5 goals at 1/2 (1.5) is likely.
> Memphis Delay to score anytime at 5/6 (1.83) | Likelihood: Possible
> HT/FT: Netherlands/Netherlands at 5/6 (1.83) | Likelihood: Outsider
> Over 2.5 goals at 1/2 (1.5) | Likelihood: Possible