Netherlands will welcome Norway to Rotterdam on Tuesday knowing that they need to win in order to guarantee top spot in Group G and an automatic spot at the 2022 World Cup.

Holland are currently top of the section, two points clear of third-placed Norway, who can also finish first or second depending on how Turkey perform against Montenegro on the same night.

Match preview

Netherlands were on course to book their spot at next year's finals when they took a two-goal lead away to Montenegro on Saturday evening, with Memphis Depay netting a brace in Podgorica, but a late collapse has left Holland sweating on their position heading into the final round of fixtures.

Indeed, two goals from Montenegro in the final eight minutes saw the points shared in a 2-2 draw, meaning that Louis van Gaal's side need to pick up a positive result on Tuesday to guarantee qualification.

Holland are top of Group G, two points clear of both second-placed Turkey and third-placed Norway; a victory is enough for Van Gaal's team to finish at the summit, while a draw would secure first if Turkey fail to overcome Montenegro on the same night.

Netherlands incredibly failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup but were runners-up in 2010 before finishing third in 2014; they also underwhelmed at this summer's European Championship, losing to Czech Republic in the round of 16 after a positive group stage.

Holland have not lost to Norway in any competition since September 1992, winning four of their last five matches, but the points were shared in a 1-1 draw when they locked horns in the reverse match in September.

Norway, meanwhile, saw their hopes of finishing first or second suffer a serious dent on Saturday, as they were held to a goalless draw by Latvia.

Stale Solbakken's side can still finish top or second in Group G, though, and would be confirmed in the top two with a victory on Tuesday, while a draw would be enough if Turkey lose to Montenegro.

Norway have not qualified for the finals of a World Cup since France 1998, while they have not been present at a European Championship since 2000, meaning that advancing to next year's tournament would be somewhat of a surprise.

The recent absence of Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland through injury has harmed them, though, and they must now pick up a positive result in, arguably, their toughest match of the section to secure first or second.

The Lions have found it difficult to score on a regular basis in this group, netting just 15 times in their nine matches, but they have the best defensive record, conceding only six times thus far.

Team News

Netherlands boss Van Gaal is expected to stick with the majority of the side that started the 2-2 with Montenegro on Saturday, but there could be a change in the final third of the field.

Indeed, Donyell Malen struggled to make his mark in Podgorica and could now be replaced by Steven Bergwijn, although Noa Lang is also pushing to be involved from the start.

Stefan de Vrij should again feature alongside Virgil van Dijk in the middle of the defence, with Davy Klaassen joining Frenkie de Jong and Georginio Wijnaldum in central midfield.

As for Norway, head coach Solbakken could decide to keep faith with the same XI that took to the field for the first whistle against Latvia.

Haaland, as mentioned, was unavailable to join up with his national team due to a troublesome hip problem, but there are still plenty of options in attack, with Joshua King coming off the bench on Saturday.

Alexander Sorloth could again get the nod at centre-forward, though, with Martin Odegaard, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Kristian Thorstvedt supporting the 25-year-old.

Netherlands possible starting lineup:
Biljow; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Blind; Wijnaldum, F de Jong, Klaassen; Bergwijn, Memphis, Danjuma

Norway possible starting lineup:
Nyland; Pedersen, Strandberg, Lode, Meling; Normann, Thorsby; Odegaard, Thorstvedt, Elyounoussi; Sorloth

We say: Netherlands 2-1 Norway

This has all of the makings of an excellent game of football, and it will be fascinating to see how this section plays out. We are expecting this to be a tight and indeed nervy affair but believe that the home side will just have enough to secure the victory and a spot in next year's World Cup as Group G winners.

Previews by email