Netherlands vs Portugal prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for Women's World Cup group match
The U.S. women get an early look at their next two group stage opponents as the Netherlands and Portugal meet on Sunday in New Zealand.
Tournament favorites USA won 3-0 over Vietnam in their opener, and the other half of Group E now takes the field as the two European participants amongst the quadrumvirate match up.
The Dutch came so close to glory four years ago, taking down Japan, Italy, and Sweden en route to the Women's World Cup final, where they would fall decisively to the United States. In truth, the path was devoid of true top opponents, as Germany, England, France, Brazil, Spain, and Canada were all sent packing by other nations.
Still, they remain near the upper echelon of women's football royalty, and have won five straight against Portugal, who are much newer to the scene. Ranked 21st in the world, Portugal are competing in the Women's World Cup for the first time, a surprise to some given the historical strength of their men's squad.
Netherlands vs Portugal match facts
- Date: Sunday, July 23
- Kickoff Time: 3:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. BST / 5:30 p.m. AEST
- Location: Dunedin Stadium (Dunedin, New Zealand)
- Official: Kateryna Monzul (UKR)
- Last meeting: Netherlands 3-2 Portugal (Jul. 13, 2022) | UEFA Women's Euro 2022)
Netherlands vs Portugal prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Netherlands (-190)
- Handicap lean: Netherlands -1.5 (+140)
- Score prediction: Netherlands 2-0 Portugal
Portugal may have a dominant men's side, but their women's team is still progressing through the earlier stages of growth. They qualified for their first-ever Women's World Cup by razor-thin margins, topping Belgium 1-0 in the semifinal of their playoff bracket before beating Iceland in extra-time in the qualification match, and then beating Cameroon 2-1 in the intercontinental playoff on a 94th minute winner.
The Dutch, meanwhile, were far more secure in their spot, topping their group across an unbeaten eight-game qualifying slate. They are littered with top talent, and while they are nowhere near the depth of the tournament favourites, they still possess a far more potent group of players than their opponents.
Portugal played the Netherlands close in their Euro group stage match a year ago, but fell short by a goal. The Dutch have been inconsistent up front of late, but big friendly scorelines coming into the tournament hint that they've maybe figured some things out.
Netherlands vs Portugal: best bet
- Pick: Under 2.5 goals
- Odds: -115 (BetMGM)
The Dutch put up huge goal totals in their pre-tournament friendly wins over Poland (4-1) and Belgium (5-0), but prior to that, they struggled mightily in front of goal. Dating back to the Euros last summer, the Dutch have been shut out by Germany and France, won 1-0 over Iceland, were held to a 1-1 draw by Sweden, and were beaten 2-1 by Austria.
Portugal, meanwhile, have not scored more than two goals in any of their last five matches, with the under hitting in each of their last three.
Throw in that every 2023 Women's World Cup game thus far has underwhelmed from a scoreline standpoint, and this has all the makings of a defensive affair in a game between two teams looking to get their feet under them in New Zealand.
Netherlands vs Portugal prop bet
- Pick: Lieke Martens anytime goal scorer
- Odds: +160 (BetMGM)
While the Dutch effort for a goal against Portugal to see them collect all three points, they could look to a familiar face in Lieke Martens. Now 30 years old, Martens was once considered amongst the most potent forwards in the women's game, but injuries sapped her prime years and she is only just now returning to the world stage.
Martens is unfortunately not remotely close to the world class forward she once was, but she remains a vital part of this Netherlands front line. She has scored a goal in three of their last four international matches, and provides much better value than Katja Snoeijs, who has recently broken into the national team fold but picked up over half her goal haul with two hat tricks against Kosovo.
