Kick-off: 2000, 18/07/2022
Stadium: Manchester City Academy Stadium
TV: BBC
Italy and Belgium have one point apiece and a victory for either in their final group game should be enough to clinch a quarter-final place at the Women’s Euro 2022.
Iceland are a point ahead of them in second but are not expected to beat group winners France, which would leave the door open for the winners here to leapfrog them.
This has the makings of an entertaining contest and both teams to score and either team to win at 2.50 is our top Italy Women vs Belgium Women prediction.
Italy Women Odds
Italy kept alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stage by coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Iceland on Thursday.
Italy suffered a nightmare start to their campaign when they were beaten 5-1 by France and they were staring at an early exit when Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir gave Iceland the lead inside three minutes.
But Valentina Bergamaschi equalised in the 62nd minute and, although Italy could not find a winner, victory here is likely to be enough to send them through.
They look worthy favourites given they rank fourth overall for shots taken, with 34, while their opponents’ tally of 13 is the third-fewest so far.
The Azzurre appeal at 3.90 to win by exactly one goal in the Italy Women vs Belgium Women odds.
Belgium Women Odds
Belgium put up a decent showing against France despite conceding early but slipped to a 2-1 defeat which has left them third in the table.
Their 36th-minute equaliser came against the run of play when Janice Cayman poked home past the onrushing Pauline Peyraud-Magnin but France restored their deserved lead five minutes later when Griedge Mbock Bathy emphatically headed home from close range.
Belgium also had a late let-off when France missed a penalty after Amber Tysiak handled inside the area and was given a second yellow card, meaning she will be suspended here.
Boss Ives Serneels said: “Everyone gave their all and it is unfortunate the game does not reflect that.
“I did not think we were going to concede after six minutes. I am not going to be negative because my team did me proud but we showed exactly what we were made of and how beautiful the women’s game is.
“We also know France is very good and have the best European players, we are talking about the third best team in the world, so I don’t think we should be negative.
“It’s not going to be a walk in the park against Italy, I’ve been working with this team for a long time and I think they have earned their stripes.”
For the last of our Italy Women vs Belgium Women betting tips, let’s take 9.00 for Italy to win 2-1.
Additional stats
Last result:
Iceland 1-1 ITALY – Bergamaschi
France 2-1 BELGIUM – Cayman
Head-to-head: Belgium 2-1 Italy, Italy 2-1 Belgium, Italy 1-4 Belgium
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