USAv Netherlands
Sunday 7th July 1600hrs
Football – International– Women’s World Cup
Pick Both teams to score
Bookmaker Betfair
Odds: 23/20 (odds taken 14.00 GMT, Saturday 6th July)
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/9 | 16/5 | 13/2 |
* (Betting Odds were taken from Ladbrokes on July 6th, 2019 at 14.00)
It’s been a terrific tournament and lets hope we have a final befitting of it. The reigning world champions USA take on the current European Champions Netherlands in Lyon on Sunday.
Women’s World Cup Betting at Betfair
USA Preview – Can USA make history and become the first team to retain World Cup?
The USA are widely regarded as being the best team in the world and it’s hard to argue against that. Jillian Ellis’ team have won their last 11 World Cup game and have not tasted defeat in the competition since losing to Japan on penalties in the 2011 final. Their last defeat in regulation came in the group stage earlier in that tournament. It’s tremendous consistency but they will consider it failure if they do not retain the World Cup. Sunday will be their third straight final and their fifth in total – considering this is only the eighth World Cup then it’s a staggering effort. The States were able to gain revenge for that agonising penalty defeat to Japan four years later, defeating the same opponent 5-2.
Tuesday’s win over England in the semi-final was USA’s third straight 2-1 win in the knockout phase. For large parts of that game they were dominant and superior to their opponents. But yet again lapses in concentration allowed England hope and but for a great penalty save it could have been extra time. Ellis will be keen to ensure those same lapses are eradicated from her team’s play in Sunday’s showpiece game.
Netherlands Preview– Will the European Champions become the best in the world?
The Dutch women have already created history this tournament by reaching the World Cup final for the first ever time. Despite being European champions, crowned in 2017, the Netherlands were not expected to perform as well as they have so far. Hosts France and England were deemed as being the biggest European challengers to the USA but it’s the Dutch who have taken advantage of having the ‘softer’ side of the draw. The semi-final win over Sweden may have required extra-time but there was no doubting the Netherlands were the better team throughout and deserved to progress. Jackie Groenen picked an appropriate time to score her first World Cup goal to make the difference.
It’s well known how dangerous Netherlands are as an attacking force led by Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema but the win over Sweden also demonstrated a different side to their game. it was a mature, controlled performance and they defended when they had to. There’s no doubt USA are a different level, of course, but it should at least be good preparation for what’s to come.
Key-Facts – USA v Netherlands
- USA are in their third consecutive World Cup final and looking to become the first team to retain the trophy
- The Netherlands won the European Championships two years ago but this will be the first time playing in a World Cup final
- The States have conceded in all three of their knockout games in this tournament so far
USA v Netherlands Betting Advice
These two teams have never met in the World Cup but there’s no getting away from how different they are in terms of competing at this stage of the competition. It’s been a very exciting tournament so far, although the use of VAR has at times overshadowed some of the games. What has been apparent in the knockout stages is that all the games have been competitive and Sunday’s final should be similar.
The USA are overwhelming favourites to win another World Cup. If the Dutch are able to secure victory it would be one of the biggest shocks in competition history. With the attacking quality both have in their squads then it points towards the game including goals. The States have scored more than any team in this World Cup and at least two in all six of their matches. The Dutch haven’t been quite as prolific but have managed at least two goals in four of their six games.
I fully expect the USA to be celebrating come full time tomorrow but the Dutch have the ability to trouble them. The States have shown some vulnerability in defence at this World Cup and I fancy them to concede for the fourth game in a row.
