FIFA Women’s World Cup: Netherlands vs Portugal Odds
First Women’s World Cup Meeting Between European Foes
Netherlands Made 2019 Final
The rise of the Netherlands women’s national team over the last decade has been quite remarkable. One decade ago, they had never qualified for the OIympic Games or a Women’s World Cup. In the last decade, they became 2017 European champions and reached the final of the Women’s World Cup in 2019. Hungry for their first title on a global stage, they kick off their 2023 WWC campaign vs. debutants Portugal. We’ll preview the Netherlands vs. Portugal odds for this Group E opener.
FIFA Women’s World Cup
Netherlands vs. Portugal
Date, time:
Location:Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand
Head-to-Head
The Netherlands and Portugal women’s national teams have met eight times previously. In those matches, the Netherlands are 7-1. Portugal’s only win vs. the Netherlands came back in 2003. This is their first meeting on their Women’s World Cup schedules. They did, however, face off last Summer in the UEFA Women’s Euro group stage, in a match the Netherlands won 3-2.
Oranje Missing Miedema
- FIFA Women’s World Ranking: 9
- Next Match: July 26th vs. USA
All eyes will be on the Netherlands vs. the USA next Wednesday, but the Oranje must focus first on Portugal. The Netherlands have a star-studded team heading into their third straight World Cup appearance. Lynn Wilms and Dominique Janssen are on the Wolfsburg team that just reached the UEFA Women’s Champions League final. Midfielder Danielle van de Donk is a star for Olympique Lyon.
Meanwhile, Lineth Beerensteyn has been in good form up top. She’s scored four times in the Netherlands’ last four matches. Lieke Martens, also a forward, has scored 59 times in 145 caps. While 145 caps is a lot, captain and midfielder Sherida Spitse has made a record 216 appearances for the Oranje.
There is one big omission from the Netherlands squad. That’s star striker Vivianne Miedema, who, at just 27 years old, is the Oranje’s all-time top scorer by a wide margin. She’ll miss the entirety of the tournament as she recovers from an ACL injury. Still, the Netherlands vs. Portugal odds price the Oranje as favorites without Miedema.
In the 2019 Women’s World Cup, the Netherlands finished first in the World Cup group standings. In Group E, they only conceded one goal and won all of their matches. That excellent form continued through the knockout stage as they took down Japan, Italy and Sweden. In the final, the Netherlands fell to the USA, but they certainly have their chance for revenge.
Portugal Take Scenic Route to Qualification
- FIFA Women’s World Ranking: 21
- Next Match: July 27th vs. Vietnam
Portugal’s Women’s national team has never advanced out of the group stage of a major tournament, let alone won a trophy. Getting to Australia & New Zealand 2023 is a major accomplishment for the world’s 21-ranked team. Portugal advanced to the UEFA playoff after finishing second in their group in UEFA qualifiers.
There, Portugal defeated two teams ranked higher than them. First, they took down Belgium 2-1 in the playoff semifinal, which set up a meeting with Iceland. Portugal exploded for three extra-time goals after the match finished 1-1 through 90 minutes. That still wasn’t enough to book a place in their first Women’s World Cup.
The other two playoff winners had better-combined results through the group stage and playoff, so they advanced automatically. Portugal had to play Cameroon in an inter-confederation playoff to qualify. Portugal defeated Cameroon 2-1 under dramatic circumstances, as Carole Costa found the net on a stoppage-time penalty.
Portugal aren’t to be underestimated, as it was a challenging route to qualification. They also held England to a scoreless draw in a pre-tournament friendly. Still, they show just +10000 Women’s World Cup odds to come away with the title. Along with Costa, Jessica Silva, Kika Nazareth and Diana Silva are players to watch for.
Match Analysis & Odds
These teams played in a five-goal thriller last Summer that was reasonably close. The Netherlands took a 2-0 lead within 20 minutes, but a resilient Portugal leveled the score early in the second half. The Oranje’s Danielle Van de Donk scored a 62nd-minute winner. This time, the Netherlands vs. Portugal odds list the Oranje as one-goal favorites.
The Netherlands sit at -130 odds to cover the spread and have outscored Portugal 23-9 in eight previous matches. In last year’s Euros, Portugal conceded at least twice in each of their matches. In their first Women’s World Cup game, Portugal +1 comes in at even odds. The underdogs also display +500 moneyline odds.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands are -220 moneyline favorites, winning four of their six previous group stage matches. A draw is priced at +355 odds and that would put a lot of pressure on the Oranje heading into their next match vs. the USA. Under three goals show -140 odds, but the Netherlands have scored at least four goals in three of their last four matches. The Oranje’s Lieke Martens has averaged a goal per game in five matches this year as well.
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