In a group containing the much-fancied Spain and their neighbours Portugal, both Belgium and Italy know that a win in the opening game of the Women's UEFA European Championships on Thursday will go a long way in ensuring qualification for the knockout stage.
Going off of current FIFA World Rankings, Italy (13th) will be more fancied to join FIFA World Cup holders Spain (2nd), and ahead of both Belgium (20th) and Portugal (22nd).
However, when the Italians have faced the Belgians in recent H2Hs, they have not had it their way. Indeed, Belgium have won the previous three meetings, and four of the last five.
Italy do come into the tournament off the back of a three-game unbeaten streak though, including an impressive 4-1 win over fellow Euros participants Wales in their last outing. Belgium have won three of their previous five, but that run includes thumping 5-0 and 5-1 defeats to both France and Spain respectively.
Nonetheless, this promises to be an interesting match-up in Group B, and certainly not a straightforward one to call.
How the bookies view it: Italy odds-on favourites
Italy have been installed as 8/11 odds-on favourites with BoyleSports for this clash. A draw can be backed at 13/5 with the same bookmaker, while a Belgium victory is the furthest out at 3/1.
We feel like the stalemate could provide value here, as Italy are favourites to claim all three points, but have struggled against Belgium in recent meetings, and so may have to settle for just the one.
Recent head-to-head: Belgium's late triumph
Belgium won the previous H2H 2-1 in 2023, thanks to a 90th-minute winner from Tessa Wullaert. Marie Detruyer had given the Belgians the lead in the first half, before Manuela Giugliano equalised midway through the second.
Players to watch: Top strikers on show
As mentioned, Wullaert scored the winner in the last H2H, and the Belgium striker has netted no fewer than five times in total in her country's last three victories, including braces against both Portugal and England. Wullaert can be backed at a tempting 5/2 with BoyleSports to score again on Thursday.
Down the other end of the pitch, Cristiana Girelli is a seasoned pro at 35 years of age, but the Juventus striker still provides a major threat, exemplified by a brace against Wales last time out.
Predicted lineups
Both teams have no fresh injury concerns or suspensions heading into this one, so should be able to start with their strongest teams possible.
Belgium Women: Evrard; Tysuak, Kees, Cayman; Janssens, Caigny, Vanhaevermaet, Teulings, Deloose; Wullaert, Blom.
Italy Women: Giuliani; Lenzini, Salvai, Linari, Boattin; Caruso, Giugliano, Severini; Oliviero, Girelli, Cantore.
Anything else catch the eye?
Given that both teams have kept two clean sheets over their last three games, this could turn out to be a low-scoring affair. BoyleSports are offering Evens for Under 2.5 total goals, which seems like a safe bet to us.
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