Kick-off: 2000, 09/07/2022
Stadium: Bramall Lane
TV: BBC
Holders Netherlands take on perennial powerhouses Sweden in the pick of the first round of group-stage fixtures at the Women’s Euro 2022 tournament.
The Dutch prevailed 2-0 when they met in the quarter-finals five years ago and shaded a 2019 World Cup semis clash 1-0 after extra time.
Another close encounter is on the cards but we just feel the Scandinavians can gain some sort of revenge at 2.65 in our first Netherlands Women vs Sweden Women prediction.
Netherlands Women Odds
Holland fully capitalised on having home advantage when rattling off six straight wins to lift the trophy for the first time.
The Oranje proved that was no fluke when reaching the final of just their second World Cup before being edged out by USA in the decider.
Arsenal forward Vivianne Miedema starred in both events, hitting a double when Denmark were beaten 4-2 in the 2017 final.
The 25-year-old has an incredible tally of 94 goals from 111 international appearances and is also the English Women’s Super League record scorer with 74 strikes, 14 of which came last season.
Midfield stalwart Sherida Spitse has over 200 caps to her credit while Danielle van de Donk of Lyon and PSG forward Lieke Martens are both well past a hundred.
Losing inspirational head coach Sarina Wiegman to England was a blow, though, even if successor Mark Parsons enjoyed success at club level in America.
There have been blips in the build-up, with the Dutch beaten 3-1 by France in February and thrashed 5-1 by England last month.
We’re prepared to take Holland on here and 4.1 for them to lose by any one-goal margin appeals from the Netherlands Women vs Sweden Women odds.
Sweden Women Odds
Sweden have not picked up a major trophy since winning the inaugural European Championship in 1984 but have been regular contenders in the latter stages.
They have been runners-up three times and reached four more semi-finals, as well as being second at the 2003 World Cup and third on three occasions in that event.
Being beaten finalists at the last two Olympics is another stat which will spur them on this summer.
The Scandinavians dropped just two points in qualifying, via an away draw in Iceland, and won this year’s Algarve Cup.
A recent 3-1 friendly triumph over Brazil justified their position at number two in the FIFA rankings behind only the dominant United States.
Star striker Stina Blackstenius, now of Arsenal, scored her 26th international goal in that game, while Chelsea defender Magdalena Eriksson is a rock at the back.
The Blue and Yellow will be relying on experience to boost their chances of challenging for the trophy as they have the oldest average age at 29.
That should stand them in good stead for this tricky opening test and 5.75 for Peter Gerhardsson’s side to win and both teams to score completes our Netherlands Women vs Sweden Women betting tips.
Additional stats
Last result:
NETHERLANDS 2-0 Finland – Miedema (2)
SWEDEN 3-1 Brazil – Kaneryd, Hurtig, Blackstenius
Head-to-head: Netherlands 1-0 Sweden (AET), Netherlands 2-0 Sweden, Sweden 0-1 Netherlands
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