Women’s World Cup – The Netherlands v Japan

Last pair yet to play in round of 16 is The Netherlands and Japan. The winner of this match will face winner of the game between Italy and China.

The Netherlands qualified to knockout stages by winning their group. The Netherlands won all of their three games with 6:2 goal difference. They beat New Zealand 1-0 in their opener, they won Cameroon 3-1 in their second game and in the last game they were better against Canada 2-1. Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema scored twice against Cameroon and was the leading goal scorer for The Netherlands in the group stage.

The Netherlands is a strong attacking team that uses 4-3-3 formation and wants to control the ball. They have a superstar winger Shanice van de Sanden, who plays for Lyon in France. She has not scored in this tournament so far, but is creating dangerous chances in every game from her wing. The Netherlands have gone 7 games without loss or a draw. During this 7 game winning streak they have scored 19 goals and given away 3.

Japan finished 2nd in their group behind England. Japan got four points in three games. They played a scoreless draw against Argentina, won Scotland 2-1 and lost to England 0-2. Both of Japan’s goals were scored by a different player.

Japan is a good defensive team and has been one of the top teams in the world last couple years. The reigning Asian champion got into World Cup final in the previous tournament, but lost to USA. Japan’s games have been tight and they have been creating a lot of chances. Japan won the possession against Argentina, but lost it against England and Scotland, both 49%-51%. Japan is using standard 4-4-2 formation. The team is not scoring many goals but are defending really well and have had potential to score more. 

I believe that The Netherlands will take the ball possession and roll quick attacks by using wings. They are dangerous from set pieces and they have a lot of talent all over the field, not only on the wings. Japan will most likely defend and try to score from counters. The Netherlands scoring over 1,5 goals give good over 2.00 odds, but again, Japan is defending really well, so margins could be small. Safer bet here is to go with The Netherlands winning.

PICK:
The Netherlands

LeoVegas 1,98
LegolasBet 1,94
Lapalingo 1,95
OlyBet 2,00
EvoBet 1,99
VulkanBet 1,83