For both teams, this meeting represents an opportunity to put one foot in the knockout stages before any other in the competition.
However, a typically testing major tournament schedule could force both to freshen up their teams for this clash.
Below are the predicted lineups for the Netherlands and Ecuador.
MORE: World Cup 2022 Group A: Match schedule, fixtures, times and dates
Netherlands vs Ecuador lineups
Head coach Louis van Gaal has revealed that he could be willing to take a risk with Memphis Depay’s fitness, such is his importance to the Netherlands.
The Barcelona forward was only fit enough to be a substitute against Senegal but could be thrust quickly into the starting line-up, if Van Gaal’s words are anything to go by.
“He has played 30 minutes and the next step would be 45 minutes,” Van Gaal said. “The injury he has makes it so difficult to decide when he can start, so we have to look at him.
“But he is an extraordinary player and so I have set aside my principles because I consider him to be incredibly important to my team.
“I explained this to the players, that I am doing all this for Memphis, and the players accepted it.”
MORE: When is Netherlands vs Ecuador at FIFA World Cup? Updated TV schedule, time, odds
Netherlands starting 11
Netherlands (3-4-1-2, right to left): 23. Noppert (GK) — 2. Timber, 4. Van Dijk, 5. Ake — 22. Dumfries, 20. Koopmeiners, 21. De Jong, 17. Blind — 14. Klaassen — 8. Gakpo, 7. Bergwijn.
Injured: none Suspended: none
Depay was not risked from the start, with Cody Gakpo looking to build on his goalscoring start to the tournament alongside Steve Bergwijn in attack.
Meanwhile, after keeping a clean sheet in the opener, which happened to be his international debut, Andries Noppert is expected to continue in goal.
Ecuador starting 11
Ecuador (3-4-3, right to left): 1. Galindez (GK) — 25. Porozo, 2. F. Torres, 3. Hincapie — 17. Preciado, 20. Mendez, 23. Caicedo, 7. Estupinan — 19. Plata, 11. Estrada, 13. Valencia.
Injured: none Suspended: none
Enner Valencia scored twice against Qatar but will be assessed ahead of this one after feeling a heavy challenge, with coach Gustavo Alfaro saying: “The tests show there is no injury. That is important, but he took a severe blow.”
With no other injury concerns, Ecuador could be otherwise unchanged.
Netherlands vs Ecuador World Cup squads
Here are the 26 names on each team’s squad lists at the World Cup in Qatar:
