Portugal and Belgium will meet in the final round of fixtures in Group B of the UEFA Women's European Championships on Friday night.
Belgium have already been knocked out of the tournament having lost their opening two games, while Portugal still have a slim chance of making it to the knockout stages after collecting one point from their first two matches. That came against Italy in a dramatic 1-1 draw last time out, as the Portuguese snatched a late equaliser.
The result means that should Portugal beat Belgium, and Italy lose to pre-tournament favourites Spain in their final match, then Portugal will have a chance of going through depending on goal difference. The last couple of H2Hs bodes well for that potential outcome as Portugal have won the previous two meetings.
However, recent form has alluded the Portuguese, who are now winless in seven games in total across all competitions. Belgium have lost three of their previous four matches across all competitions themselves though, so both teams are lacking in confidence heading into this clash.
How the bookies view it: Portugal odds-on favourites
Portugal have been installed as 4/5 odds-on favourites with BoyleSports to claim what could be a crucial three points, while Belgium can be backed at 5/2 with the same bookmaker. A draw is rated at 11/4 odds, and given the lack of confidence and ability to win in recent matches for both sides, we feel comfortable in backing this potential outcome.
Recent head-to-head: Portugal edge Nations League clash
These two teams last met in February in the UEFA Women's Nations League. Portugal ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a penalty from Carole Costa.
Players to watch: Can Gomes get on the scoresheet again?
Diana Gomes scored her sixth senior goal for Portugal with a dramatic 89th-minute equaliser against Italy last time out, keeping her team in the tournament. The central defender is a threat in both boxes, and with Belgium being exposed on multiple occasions from set-pieces in their 6-2 defeat to Spain in their previous game, an 8/1 punt for her to score again with BoyleSports could be worth exploring.
Tessa Wullaert grabbed both assists for Belgium in that match, and if they are to get a positive result, she will likely be involved.
Predicted lineups
Ana Borges is suspended for Portugal after getting herself sent off against Italy. Belgium have no fresh injury concerns or suspensions to report.
Portugal Women: Morais; Amado, Gomes, Costa, Marchao; Pinto, Norton, Nazareth, Pinto; Capeta, Silva.
Belgium Women: Lichtfus; Janssens, Tysiak, Kees, Cayman, Deloose; Teulings, Vanhaevermaet, Toloba, Eurlings, Wullaert.
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have struggled to score goals at the tournament so far, with just three in total between them across their opening two matches. The last five H2Hs have also averaged just 1.6 goals per game, which suggests that we could see a low-scoring affair.
Under 2.5 total goals can be backed at 21/20 with BoyleSports, which we feel is a generous price.
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