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Netherlands vs Portugal odds and betting statistics
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Netherlands vs Portugal match preview
Netherlands got all the way to the most-recent World Cup Final, but very few are expecting them to repeat that Down Under.
In 2017, as hosts, Oranje won the European Championships, before featuring in the World Cup Final two summers later, beaten 2-0 by United States in France, and there’s no shame in that.
All of this was achieved under Sarina Wiegman, who’s now England manager of course, and she’s certainly left quite the void.
Last summer, with Mark Parsons at the helm, things just didn’t seem quite right, with Holland crashing out in the European Championship quarter-finals against France.
Parsons was duly sacked, with Andries Jonker his successor, and this has resulted in a much happier camp, raising hopes and expectations back in the Netherlands.
Nevertheless, with USA also in Group E, the Leeuwinnen will feel they cannot afford to start with a defeat in Dunedin, knowing a victory would leave them in the catbird seat to advance.
Under Francisco Neto, who is the longest-serving manager at this tournament, they have qualified for back-to-back Euros, albeit they’ve only managed one win, beating Scotland six years ago.
Back in 2022, A Selecção drew with Switzerland before suffering back-to-back defeats against, coincidentally enough, Netherlands and then Sweden, the latter a 5-0 humbling.
So, Portugal will not be easy opponents but, with a game against the reigning champions to come, they’ll feel this opener is must win.
Can Portugal spring a surprise at Forsyth Barr Stadium, or will Netherlands’ quality see them to victory?
Netherlands team news
Before discussing who might start, one must mention a superstar who will not, with Netherlands’ best player, striker Vivianne Miedema, sidelined due to an ACL injury picked up in December.
In her absence, Lieke Martens could be Holland’s most dangerous attacker, with Lineth Beerensteyn leading the line.
Captain Sherida Spitse will win her 217th cap, possibly filling-in at right-back.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): van Domselaar; Spitse, Janssen, van der Gragt, Casparij; Roord, Egurrola, van de Donk; Pelova, Martens, Beerensteyn.
Portugal teams news
Portugal’s star forward is Jéssica Silva, who took her tally to 16 international goals against Ukraine in a pre-tournament warm-up game.
Carole Costa, Dolores Silva and Ana Borges all have well over 100 caps to their name, while 20 year old striker Kika Nazareth has been tipped for greatness.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Morais; Borges, D Gomes, C Costa, Marchão; Pinto, D Silva, Norton; J Silva, Nazareth, D Silva.
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