Netherlands vs South Africa betting tips: Women’s World Cup round of 16 preview, predictions, team news and odds

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Netherlands vs South Africa match preview

Almost no one would’ve predicted this round of 16 match-up before a ball was kicked at this tournament, so who will continue to upset the odds in Sydney?

Netherlands featuring in the knockout phase is no great shock, given that they got all the way to the final of this tournament four summers ago.

Nevertheless, when Oranje were drawn alongside the team who beat them in that final United States, Holland were certainly not expected to top their section, but ended up two points clear of USA.

Andries Jonker’s side began this campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Portugal, before holding the U.S. to a 1-1 draw in Wellington, taking the lead in that clash through Jill Roord.

Then, in their final group game on Tuesday, Holland ran riot, demolishing debutants Vietnam 7-0 at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Lieke Martens broke the deadlock after eight minutes, before Katja Snoeijs poked home a second shortly after.

This is only the third time Oranje have scored 7+ in a major tournament game, following their 10-3 and 8-2 wins over Zambia and China PR respectively at the Olympic Games two summers ago.

So, in short, Netherlands are looking good right now, and certainly come into this knockout tie as massive favourites to prevail.

South Africa meanwhile had never even won a World Cup game this time last week, but are now, potentially, 90 minutes away from the last eight.

On debut in 2019, Banyana Banyana lost all three matches, with this campaign starting in similar fashion, beaten 2-1 in the last minute by Sweden, despite taking the lead through Hildah Magaia.

Then, the WAFCON champions raced into a 2-0 lead against Argentina, Linda Motlhalo and Thembi Kgatlana the scorers, but threw the lead away again, ultimately lucky to draw 2-2 in Dunedin by the end.

Nevertheless, this point proved useful, as it meant Desiree Ellis’ side went into Wednesday’s clash with Italy in Wellington with their fate in their own hands, knowing a shock victory would take them through.

However, they made a nightmare start.

Just nine minutes in, le Azzure converted a penalty although, little after the hour mark, a stroke of luck for South Africa, with Benedetta Orsi quite literally passing the ball into her own net; a comical own goal.

Against the odds, Banyana Banyana took the lead mid-way through the second half, Magaia lashing home having been played in by Kgatlana, only for Italy to equalise from a corner seven minutes later.

But, just as the game entered stoppage time, it was roles reversed, with Magaia bursting in-behind before putting it on a plane for Kgatlana, sparking wild celebrations on the South African bench.

This not only secured their maiden World Cup victory, it means the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions are just the third team from their continent to reach the World Cup knockout stages.

However, this’ll be an enormous step-up in difficulty level, with the Dutch overwhelming favourites to prevail at Sydney Football Stadium

Whoever wins this match-up will take on Switzerland or Spain in Wellington in the quarter-finals on Friday.

Netherlands team news

Andries Jonker made a few changes to his XI for the demolition of Vietnam, but could revert to the XI that held USA to a 1-1 draw.

Esmee Brugts impressed in that one, scoring two stunners, so will continue to be a threat down the left.

Veteran Sherida Spitse will continue as part of the back three, taking her caps tally to 220.

Meantime, Lieke Martens, who took her international goal tally to 59 last time out, will remain Oranje’s primary goal threat.

Predicted XI (3-5-2): van Domselaar; Spitse, Janssen, van der Gragt; Pelova, Roord, Groenen, van de Donk, Brugts; Martens, Snoeijs.

South Africa teams news

Kholosa Biyana will return in midfield, having sat out the famous victory over Italy due to yellow card accumulation.

Desiree Ellis switched to a back three for that game, so could stick with that formation here.

After both scored on Wednesday, Hildah Magaia and Thembi Kgatlana will continue to lead this South African attack.

Predicted XI (3-5-2): Swart; Matlou, Gamede, Mbane; Ramalepe, Motlhalo, Biyana, Moodaly, Seoposenwe; Magaia, Kgatlana.

Netherlands′ Women’s World Cup results & fixtures

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South Africa′s Women’s World Cup results & fixtures

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Women’s World Cup round of 16 results & fixtures

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