Italy Women V Netherlands Women
Saturday 29 June 2019 – 15:00 Kick-Off
International: Women’s World Cup
Pick: Both Teams to Score – 9/10 Betfair
Preview: European teams have dominated this latest edition of the Women’s World Cup, with seven of the remaining eight teams all from the continent. It is perhaps of no surprise to see the reigning champions of Europe still standing, as the Netherlands continue their upward trajectory. Very few, though, expected the Italians to still be going so strong – and fewer still, it seems, are expecting them claim glory, with Le Azzurre still considered to be the rank outsiders at 25/1 to win the tournament.
Therefore it is unsurprising the Netherlands are considered strong favourites to progress from this quarter-final clash. However, Italy have already claimed some notable scalps and will be seeking to add another in their quest to reach a first ever World Cup semi-final.
The Stade du Hainaut, in Valenciennes, is the venue for this all-European affair.
Recent Trends
- Both teams have scored in all four previous meetings, with Netherlands yet to lose a fixture versus Italy (W2 D2).
- It is one defeat in thirteen games for Italy (W10 D2 L1) when you exclude extra-time and penalties.
- The Netherlands are currently on a seven-game winning streak, winning each of the last three with both teams scoring.
Italy Women Preview
The Italians were considered huge outsiders at the very beginning of the tournament. After four games played, they are still considered the most unlikely team to lift the trophy. Odds of 25/1 are the biggest of all teams remaining. They have spent much of the tournament defying not only the odds but also confounding people’s expectations though – and they will have no intention of stopping anytime soon.
In a country accustomed to seeing the men’s national team winning the biggest prizes, Italy has struggled to embrace the women’s game as warmly. That has changed a little with the success of this tournament, with coach Milena Bertolini claiming the positive energy and support shown back home has played an important role in inspiring her players. Now they are on the cusp of a major semi-final, what would be their first at a World Cup, following their impressive 2-0 victory over China in the Round of 16.
Goals from Valentina Giacinti and Aurora Galli, who made her own little piece of history by scoring her third goal at these finals as a substitute, earned Italy a deserved win over the Chinese last time. It was another typically committed performance, with the well-organised Italians again displaying their resilient qualities. And they continued a tournament-long trend which has seen them produce some extremely clinical finishing.
The win over China also continued their strong showing in 2019. Le Azzurre have now won ten of their thirteen matches this year (W10 D2 L1) that included victories over Australia (2-1) and Jamaica (5-0) in the group stage. A 1-0 loss to Brazil in their final group game, when they were all-but through already, remains the only occasion they not only failed to avoid defeat but also failed to find the back of the net in any fixture.
Netherlands Women Preview
While it will have come as a big surprise for many to witness the progress of Italy, that certainly isn’t the case with Netherlands. Their ascent to the top of the women’s game has been rapid and expectations were high heading into this tournament after their triumph two years ago at the 2017 European Championship. So it could be argued there is greater pressure on their shoulders ahead of this game.
If the players are feeling under the added pressure of expectancy, they have handled it tremendously well. It helps, of course, when you establish a habit of finding all sorts of ways to win football matches. The group stage was littered with intense, closely-fought encounters that all required late goals to secure vital wins. To qualify from a competitive section containing New Zealand (1-0), Cameroon (3-1) and Canada (2-1) was no small feat, either.
And winning is all this team has known for a while now: the three wins in the group made it six wins out of six when you include the warm up matches prior to the tournament. That streak became seven after somehow overcoming Japan in the last round, requiring yet another late goal to seal the deal. Lieke Martens scored twice, including the winner late on from a controversial penalty decision to maintain Oranje’s winning momentum.
It remains to be seen, though, quite how much are left in the Dutch energy reserves. Japan ran them ragged for large periods and were well on top for much of the second period, carving open a tired and weary-looking defence time and again. Coach Sarina Wiegman has seen her side dig deep to find a way of winning all tournament though, and she will have the utmost confidence in her girls repeating the same trick here.
Betting Tips
Main Selection: Both Teams to Score – 9/10 Betfair
Value Pick: Draw/Netherlands – 4/1 Bet365
Betting Summary
Netherlands had their energy well and truly sapped by a technically brilliant Japanese side who played such quick, slick football. This match will pose them a different problem entirely, against an opponent who are a completely different proposition. The Italians won’t ask the same demands from Holland. Instead they will sit back and remain compact, closing down all the spaces and looking to inflict serious damage on the counter. It’s an approach we have all become familiar with, but it’s proved very effective so far.
Despite the obvious contrast in styles, this is a fixture which has produced entertainment in the past. All four previous meetings between the two have seen both teams manage to score at least once. Meanwhile, Italy have only failed to score on one occasion in 13 games this year while Holland haven’t failed to score in any of their last eight, winning each of the last three without a clean sheet.
Holland have a habit of leaving it late in this tournament as well. So the Draw/Netherlands bet in the HT/FT market holds some appeal. It would have landed in all four of their games at these finals!