Kick-off: 1700, 08/07/2022
Stadium: Stadium MK
TV: BBC
Spain’s Group B clash with Finland is rated the biggest mismatch in the opening round of Euro 2022 fixtures, with the underdogs 41.0 to prevail.
La Roja, 4.0 favourites to lift the trophy, are unbeaten in 22 matches since losing to the USA at the 2020 SheBelieves Cup and look set for a smooth start.
We like 3.0 for Jorge Vilda’s side to prevail 4-0, 5-0 or 6-0 for our first Spain Women vs Finland Women prediction.
Spain Women Odds
Spain went out at the quarter-final stage in 2013 and 2017 but more is expected of them this time due to the progress made by top club side Barcelona.
La Roja certainly impressed in qualifying, dropping just two points in eight matches, with 48 goals scored and only one conceded.
One player who could prove the standout of this tournament is Alexia Putellas, the current holder of the Ballon d’Or.
The playmaker collected that award after helping Barca to win last year’s Champions League and was the top scorer in the 2021-22 competition, with 11 goals, as the Catalan giants finished as runners-up.
Clubmates Patri Guijarro and Aitana Bonmati help to make up a strong midfield which benefits from playing together on a regular basis.
Head coach Jorge Vilda has been in charge since 2015 and previously enjoyed great success at youth levels with a number of his current senior players.
La Roja tend to dominate possession and wear opposing teams out, which can lead to lots of late goals as rivals tire.
Looking at the Spain Women vs Finland Women odds, we like 2.2 for the favourites to win the second half and over 2.5 scores during that period.
Finland Women Odds
Finland reached the semi-finals back in 2005 when the tournament was last staged in England and will hope that is a good omen.
However, they have been sliding steadily downhill since then, going out in the quarters in 2009, suffering a group-stage exit in 2013 and failing to qualify five years ago.
On the plus side, a resilient defence helped the Boreal Owls to book a place in the finals this time, with only two goals conceded from seven wins and a draw in their pool.
That was a weak section, though, and a couple of 1-0 victories over Scotland will not worry Spain, who beat the same side 10-0 on aggregate over two World Cup 2023 qualifiers.
Evergreen Paris forward Linda Sallstron has scored 46 goals from 103 international appearances and is still going strong at the age of 33.
Midfielder Emmi Alanen has netted 19 times from 76 caps but if Spain can keep that pair quiet, the supporting cast lacks quality.
Former Scotland coach Anna Signeul will hope teamwork and spirit is enough for the Finns to be competitive, but this is a tough opening test.
Let’s add 3.7 for La Roja to lead 1-0 at half-time to our Spain Women vs Finland Women betting tips.
Additional stats
Last result:
Italy 1-1 SPAIN – Alexia Putellas
Netherlands 2-0 FINLAND
Head-to-head: Spain 5-1 Finland, Finland 0-2 Spain, Spain 5-0 Finland, Finland 1-2 Spain
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