Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Women's Euro match.
This fixture could prove decisive in the race for a knockout round berth. A win for Italy would secure at least second place in the group. For Portugal, making their European Championship debut, this is a last chance to keep their campaign alive.
Portugal (women)
Portugal began their tournament with a heavy 0:5 defeat against Spain. However, they managed to regroup after the break, conceding just one goal in the second half. Offensively, the team struggled, recording only one shot on target and generating a mere 0.33 xG. Spain completely controlled proceedings, limiting Portugal to just 29% possession.
Italy (women)
Italy opened their campaign with a narrow 1:0 win over Belgium. Despite the close scoreline, they were superior in shots on target (7-2) and in xG (1.41-0.73). The Italians adopt a pragmatic style, prioritising possession and a well-organised defensive setup. They have also dominated the head-to-head record, winning all six previous meetings and conceding only two goals in the process.
Portugal (women) vs Italy (women) Prediction
Italy bring valuable experience in major tournaments and demonstrate a more structured and coherent game plan. Given recent difficulties for Portugal, especially against Spain, it’s hard to see them posing a significant threat. The Italians are expected to take three points and advance to the next round.
