Netherlands vs Algeria Prediction: Magic Malen can continue his impeccable club form

Both the Netherlands and Algeria are heading to this summer's FIFA World Cup finals and the two sides meet for a friendly in Rotterdam on Wednesday (8:45pm local/7:45pm BST, Prime Video).

De Oranje exited at the quarter-finals stage of the previous World Cup, so they will be seeking to go deeper into this tournament in North America. Read on for my Netherlands vs Algeria predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman dragged his heels with naming his 26-man squad for the World Cup, but he wasn't the only coach to do so. He wanted to be sure of De Oranje's all-time top scorer Memphis Depay and Jurrien Timber's fitness status and both will be heading across the Atlantic.

Marten de Roon has replaced ACL victim Jerdy Schouten in the midfield ranks, while West Ham United winger Crysencio Summerville has received his first call-up.

Koeman did receive criticism for omitting Burnley striker Zian Flemming, who netted 11 goals in the Premier League, in favour of Wout Weghorst.

Football Odds

Nabil Bentaleb is back in Algeria's squad after missing out on their Africa Cup of Nations campaign, while Ismael Bennacer has been surprisingly left out of their World Cup roster.

Riyad Mahrez will captain the side at 35 years of age as he hopes to sprinkle his magic on the world stage 12 years after his previous appearance.

Netherlands vs Algeria Odds

The hosts have won five of their last seven matches and they are the 4/11 favourites to prevail on Wednesday.

Two of their past four outings have ended level, with the draw marketed at 7/2.

Algeria are a 13/2 bet to stun their European hosts.

Depay is the 19/20 favourite to score anytime in this contest.

Match Result & Both Teams To Score - Netherlands & Yes @ 21/10

This will be seen as a good exercise for both parties as the World Cup draws closer. Both of them have tricky opponents to deal with in their respective groups and so a good result here could really benefit them in North America.

They both have a lot of quality in their ranks, but when it comes to talent in depth, I would say the Netherlands have the edge. De Oranje are still seeking their first world title but in two of their past three appearances at the finals they have reached at least the semi-finals, finishing as the runners-up in South Africa back in 2010.

They've been in decent form of late with five wins from seven, and I think they will defeat Algeria in Rotterdam on Wednesday. I do think we'll see the Desert Warriors get on the scoresheet, however, as BTTS - Yes has struck in three of the hosts' previous four fixtures.

Anytime Goalscorer - Donyell Malen @ 8/5

In the second half of the season across Europe, I don't think there was a better signing than Donyell Malen. Fed up of his lack of opportunities at Aston Villa after just a year in the West Midlands, Malen joined Roma on loan and he's not looked back since.

The attacker had an instant impact and went on to score 14 goals in 18 Serie A appearances. He was only there for half the season but finished as the second top scorer in the division.

Koeman will be delighted to see that kind of form from one of his attacking stars coming into the World Cup. Malen has 13 goals in 51 appearances for the Netherlands to date,and I'm backing him to net his 14th on Wednesday at 8/5, which has an implied probability of 38.5%.