Netherlands vs Norway Prediction: Both teams to showcase their attacking talents

The Netherlands and Norway should both get a valuable workout in preparation for the Fifa World Cup as they meet in a friendly at the Johan Cruijff Arena on Friday (19:45 GMT). Both teams topped their qualifying groups so we may be treated to a spectacle despite nothing riding on this fixture.

Read on for my Netherlands vs Norway predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

The Netherlands are missing their all-time top scorer, Memphis Depay, due to injury. This might be seen as a good exercise for boss Ronald Koeman as it gives other attacking players the chance to step up in Depay's absence.

Brian Brobbey, Donyell Malen and Wout Weghorst will compete against one another to lead the line on Friday.

Crysencio Summerville looked set to make his debut for the Oranje but he also had to withdraw from the squad with an issue. AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit has received his first senior call-up and he already has a lot of expectation on his shoulders because Koeman has compared him to Spanish prodigy Pedri.

Defender Jan Paul van Hecke is available again after serving a suspension.

Football Odds

Norway have confirmed their star striker, Erling Haaland, will be rested so Alexander Sorloth and Jorgen Strand Larsen are expected to line up in the final third.

Bodo/Glimt winger Jens Petter Hauge could provide service from the wing following his impressive performances in the Uefa Champions League. Oscar Bobb and Antonio Nusa will also eye up spots on the flanks.

Captain Martin Odegaard is missing again due to injury.

Netherlands vs Norway Odds

Both these teams went unbeaten in their World Cup qualifying groups but only Norway won all eight of their fixtures (Netherlands W6 D2). The visitors are an attractive bet to win at 10/3 considering they have won 13 of their last 15 matches.

The Netherlands are 4/6 to come out on top, with Betfred anticipating a home victory.

Seven of the previous 22 meetings have ended level, with the draw on this occasion priced at 11/4.

Norway's Sorloth scored five goals for his country in their WC qualifying group. He is 11/4 to find the net anytime on Friday.

Today's Football Fixtures

Total Goals - Over 3.5 @ 13/8

Qualifying for the World Cup looked simple for these two sides as they topped their respective groups. On paper, this is an exciting contest because they are both in a position to ruffle some feathers across the Atlantic this summer.

This may be a friendly but I think the Betfred traders have overlooked the goals market because both the Netherlands and Norway have been showing their attacking talents in recent months.

The Oranje bagged 27 goals across their eight clashes, while the visitors netted 37 themselves in the same number of games. Over 3.5 goals looks good value for Friday at 13/8 (implied probability of 38.1%) because it has been a common trend for the two teams of late.

Five of the Netherlands' previous seven outings have produced four-plus goals. This has also been a successful bet in each of Norway's four most recent fixtures.

Away Team Total Goals - Over 1.5 @ 9/4

Sticking with the goals markets, I think Norway are worth backing to score at least two goals. Their 37 goals in qualifying can't be ignored, and even if Haaland is rested, they still have plenty of attacking options who can cause problems for Koeman's defenders.

Lovene have grown a lot in recent years and they look well-positioned to cause a few upsets at the approaching World Cup. They don't lack goals, having scored at least two in nine of their last 12 games in all competitions.

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