Netherlands Women v Portugal Women

Netherlands Women vs Portugal Women Preview

Netherlands and Portugal will face off at the Dunedin Stadium on Sunday evening in what could potentially already be a showdown for one of the top two places in Group E especially after USA registered a comprehensive 3-0 win over Vietnam in the group opener.

Netherlands finished top of their European World Cup qualifying Group C but they were pushed all the way by runners-up, Iceland, who finished just two points behind the Leeuwinnen, while the Dutch will be wary of Portugal's threat after last summer's Euro tussle with the Portuguese which the Dutch won 3-2 after being 2-0 up.

New coach, Andries Jonker, has been handed the task of trying to emulate Netherlands' previous best in the World Cup of runners-up in 2019 this time around and having registered landslide victories in international friendlies just before the start of this World Cup against Poland 4-1 and Belgium 5-0, Netherlands look a decent prospect for this Sunday's encounter against World Cup debutants, Portugal.

Portugal are one of two nations making their World Cup debuts in Group E along with Vietnam and the Portuguese will be hoping that the same fate doesn't befall them on Sunday as it did with Vietnam when they were dealt a comprehensive 3-0 defeat at the hands of powerhouse, USA.

Portugal will also be quietly confident of their chances in this Group E opener with Netherlands as they have suffered just the one defeat out of their previous 12 internationals overall, that loss coming in the form of a 2-1 loss to Japan but the Portuguese also picked up nine wins within this period as well.

In addition, it's interesting to note that eight of Portugal's last 12 international matches have also resulted in Over 2.5 goals and further goals look set to feature in this Sunday's crucial clash at Dunedin Stadium as there is previous history of entertaining and high-scoring encounters between these two nations.

Indeed, each of the previous five meetings have all resulted in Over 2.5 goals being scored along with a total of 25 goals being scored in total, so this Sunday looks set to be a real blockbuster.

Netherlands W v Portugal W Verdict

Netherlands will feel they have the upper hand over Portugal though, not only because they possess previous World Cup experience and pedigree but also because the Dutch have won four out of the previous five meetings against Portugal and they will be hoping that this trend continues on Sunday.

As for Portugal, they ran Netherlands close in last summer's Euros so they know they are capable of giving the Dutch a run for their money here.

Therefore, our main bet will be Over 2.5 goals @ 1.70

Other side bets worth considering:

Netherlands win & Over 2.5 goals @ 2.10

Correct score: Netherlands 2-1 @ 8.50