Women’s Euro 2025: All or Nothing in Crunch Group Game

Netherlands vs France

It’s a battle between, according to the official FIFA rankings, the 10^th and 11^th best teams in the world.

Quite why Holland and France are meeting in the group stages of Women’s Euro 2025 is beyond this SBOTOP observer, especially given the fact holders England, ranked fifth in the world, have been placed in the same pool.

Yet that is the position and that can be cup football.

So, while 2025 highlights surely await at St Jakob-Park in Basel, it also seems likely only one of these nations will make the knockout stages.

 

Talking Points

That is because England, currently second in Group D, are big favourites to beat Wales, meaning there will only be room for one of these two in the quarter-finals.

While both teams harbour hopes of advancing, Les Bleues are in pole position with six points to their name following their first two games while the Netherlands are three points adrift in third spot (behind England on goal difference).

The Dutch, who have reached the last eight in three of their four European Championship appearances, certainly have work to do. The Oranje would have hoped to have been in a better position after they cruised to a 3-0 win in their opening group game against Wales.

However, they were quickly brought down to earth with a heavy 4-0 defeat in Wednesday’s match against England, leaving them in third place and behind the Lionesses on goal difference.

Indeed, if England beat Wales as expected, the Dutch know they will have to beat France by at least three goals to progress.

Les Bleues kicked off the tournament with a statement 2-1 victory over England (Sarina Wiegman’s first Euros defeat of her coaching career) becoming the first team to beat the reigning champions in the opening game of the Women’s Euros.

The 2022 semi-finalists backed up that impressive win with a dominant display in Wednesday’s 4-1 victory against Wales, which came courtesy of goals from Clara Mateo, Kadidiatou Diani, Amel Majri and Grace Geyoro.

Manager Laurent Bonadei is set to make a number of changes after resting several key players for that encounter and that could lead to recalls for Maelle Lakrar, Sakina Karchaoui and Oriane Jean-Francois.

There is also a strong possibility that Chelsea’s Sandy Baltimore and Lyon’s Marie-Antoinette Katoto will come into the frontline.

As for Holland, Vivianne Miedema, a true star for the Dutch, could well be key, as she continues her return following a hamstring injury sustained in April which made her a doubt for the tournament. With four goals in her last four international appearances, she will likely be crucial if they are to progress.

Danielle van de Donk could also be given a recall after dropping down to the bench against England, and don’t be surprised if Holland manager Andries Jonker is tempted to make further changes, with Sherida Spitse and Lineth Beerensteyn among those pushing for starting spots.

It’s a crucial encounter as the 2017 European champions bid to avoid an early exit against a side which finished third in the tournament three years ago.

 

History

Having failed to win any of their last four head-to-head matches, the Netherlands are chasing victory against France for the first time since recording a 2-1 win in October 2015.

Eleven times have these sides locked horns since their maiden clash in 2008, a 2-0 Holland success. That is one of four Dutch triumphs with five French victories and a further two draws.

One of those games was at Euro 2009, a goalless draw in the quarter-finals before Holland won 5-4 on penalties.

France gained revenge at Euro 2022 at the same stage when Ève Périsset converted an extra-time penalty to send France into their first UEFA Women’s semi-final and dethrone the holders.

Their highest scoring affair came during a 2020 friendly when the nations shared six goals.

 

Betting Tip

France are big favourites with the Euro 2025 betting odds and it’s easy to see why against the Dutch who are still reeling from a hammering by holders England.

Les Bleus are priced 1X2 @ 1.61 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 1.88.

Meanwhile, Holland are on offer 1X2 @ 4.28 and Asian Handicap +0.75 @ 1.94.

The draw has caught my eye @ 3.47, as have a number of goal bets including under 2.50 @ 2.00, total goal 0-1 @ 3.15, 2-3 @ 1.93 and 4-6 @ 2.99.

A repeat of their most recent meeting two years ago, a 1-0 France success, will pay out @ 6.60 with Correct Score.I think France will win to top the group but I think they will have to work hard for it and my *** is Half Time Full Time Draw Away @ 4.83.

   

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