Spain Women will be aiming to make it back-to-back wins at the European Championships when they face Belgium at the Stockhorn Arena on Monday evening.
The pre-tournament favourites made an early statement of intent with a resounding 5-0 win over Portugal on Thursday night.
That emphatic victory means Montse Tome’s team are setting the early pace in Group B due to their superior goal difference (+5) compared to second-placed Italy (+1).
Now seeking to all but secure their place in the knockout round, Spain will look to bank another three points against Belgium.
After kicking off their campaign with a 1-0 loss to Italy, the Red Flames now face an uphill battle if they are to progress beyond the group stage.
While Elisabet Gunnarsdottir’s side ran Italy close last time out, they now face a serious upgrade on that challenge when they take on star-studded Spain on matchday two.
How the bookies view it: Spain set for another success
Fresh off the back of their 5-0 pasting of Portugal, Spain are heavy 1/50 favourites here with Boylesports.
Belgium are as big as 33/1 with Boylesports to pick up their first win of the tournament, while a share of the Stockhorn Arena spoils is also deemed improbable at 16/1 with the same firm.
Head to head: Spain seeking six of the best
Spain have come out on top in each of their last five meetings with Belgium, including both encounters in this year's Nations League. However, it is worth noting that Belgium did manage to score in each of the most recent two encounters, making them a value option to repeat the trick here at 2/1 on Boylesports.
Players to watch: Go for another Gonzalez goal
After bagging a brace against Portugal last time out, Esther Gonzalez looks well placed to add to her tally on Monday evening. Backing the experienced forward to strike alongside Spain in the Half Time/Full Time market will bring about an attractive 4/5 Bet Builder on Bet 365.
With a whopping 93 goals across her 146 appearances for her country, Belgium will look to Tessa Wullaert for inspiration against Spain. The Inter Milan forward is as big as 13/2 to make the net bulge on matchday two.
Predicted line-ups
Following their five-star performance on matchday one, Spain manager Tome could understandably choose to stick with the same starting XI on Monday evening.
With no suspension or injury issues to contend with, Belgium boss Gunnarsdottir has to weigh up whether or not to select an unchanged side.
Spain: Nanclares; Batlle, Mendez, Aleixandri, Carmona; Lopez, Guijarro, Putellas; Caldentey, Pina, Gonzalez
Belgium: Lichtfus; Tysiak, Kees, Cayman; Janssens, Teulings, Vanhaevermaet, Deloose; Toloba; Eurlings, Wullaert
Anything else catch the eye?
The aforementioned Esther Gonzalez looks worthy of support to score two or more goals on Monday evening at 16/5 with PaddyPower.
As already mentioned, this bet would have paid out against Portugal on matchday one.
It’s also worth pointing out that Gonzalez bagged a couple of goals against Belgium in the Nations League at the tail end of May.
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