Wales Women will play their first-ever match at a major tournament in Luzern on Saturday as they take on the Netherlands in the Women’s Euro Championships.
Rhian Wilkinson’s side created history last November, as they qualified for the Women’s European Championship this summer after negotiating past two playoffs.
After finishing top of their qualifying group, the Dragons squeezed past Slovakia 3-2 on aggregate after extra time, before defeating the Republic of Ireland by the same aggregate score to seal their place in Switzerland this summer.
However, they don’t come here in great form, as they were relegated to League B in the Nations League after picking up just two points from their six matches with Italy, Denmark and Sweden.
Andries Jonker’s side qualified for this summer’s Women’s European Championship by finishing second in their qualifying group, behind Italy only on goal difference.
The Oranje also come into this clash off the back of a solid Nations League campaign, as they finished second in League A Group 1, five points behind neighbours Germany, but also five clear of Austria in third.
How the bookies view it: Dutch clear favourites
The Netherlands are expected to win here, with BoyleSports pricing them at just 1/5 to make a winning start in Group D.
A Welsh victory is a massive 11/1 with the same firm, whilst the draw is 5/1.
Head to head: Five on the spin for the Dutch?
The Netherlands have a perfect record in their last four matches against the Welsh, scoring 10 goals across those victories and conceding just once.
Players to watch: Miedema to hit the century?
Vivianne Miedema is currently stuck on 99 goals for her country. The Manchester City forward scored twice in a 2-1 friendly win over Finland in the build-up to this tournament, and is 23/25 at Unibet to reach a century of goals for her country.
Jess Fishlock is The Dragons' all-time leading scorer with 47 goals. The Seattle Reign number 10 scored a consolation in Wales’s last match against Italy, and it would be fitting if she were to get her country’s first goal at a major tournament.
Predicted line-ups:
Despite missing the entire 2024/25 season, Wales can call up Sophie Ingle, whilst record cap-holder and goal-scorer Jess Fishlock is also available after injury.
Record-cap holder Sherida Spitse is expected to captain the side once more, whilst record goal-scorer Vivianne Miedema will lead the line.
Wales: Clark, Green, Ladd, Evans, Woodham, Griffiths, James, Holland, Rowe, Jones, Cain
Netherlands: Van Domselaar, Casparij, Janssen, Buurman, Brugts, Groenen, Kaptein, Pelova, Van de Donk, Roord, Miedema
Anything else catch the eye?
Group D has been labelled as the ‘group of death’, and you feel that if either side has a chance of progressing to the knockout stages, they need to win in Luzern on Saturday night, which could lead to an open game.
Both Teams to Score has been a winning selection in four of Wales' last five and seven of their past 10 matches – and given the same has landed in eight of the Dutch’s previous nine encounters – the 11/10 at BoyleSports for both teams getting on the scoresheet appeals.
The Dutch are expected to win here, with a Netherlands victory and Both Teams to Score priced at 19/10 at BoyleSports for those wanting a bit more juice.
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