Netherlands vs Norway Prediction & Betting Tips - Handball World Championship

Prediction published on 16/01/2023, 05:24  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 16/01/2023 at 06:24 in Handball World Championship Predictions

Both the Netherlands and Norway have already qualified for the main round of the 2023 Men's World Handball Championships. Norway top the group on goal difference from their opponents so a draw here will see them top the group. This is an important game though as any points earned from this match will be carried over to the main round. The Netherlands have had wins over both Argentina and North Macedonia to ensure they get into the next stage of these championships. Both of their wins were by a ten-goal margin and they so far have two points to take into the main round. They'll be hoping for another good performance from Kay Smits who has so far scored 17 goals in his first two matches in these championships. Getting through to the main round continues the improvement that has been seen in the Dutch men's handball team. It's their first time in the main round in what is only their second appearance in the finals.

Life is about to get tougher for them though as they take on Norway who are currently fifth in the betting to lift the world title. They finished fifth in the European Championships this year but are still waiting to win their maiden world title. The closest they have got to doing that was when losing the final in both 2017 and 2019. January has already been a good month for them. They hosted the Golden League and won the tournament with three wins out of three. That good form has again been shown in these world championships. They began with a win over North Macedonia and followed that up with a victory over Argentina. Their goal difference is +23, three higher than that managed by the Netherlands against the same opposition. They'll want to go into the main round with four points carried forward and are worthy favourites to win this match.