Get ready for a month full of thrilling tournament football with the UEFA Women’s Euros 2022. Sixteen teams are battling it out for European silverware, and with competition at such a high level, it really is anyone’s tournament to win. Today we take a look at our football predictions for matchday 2 of Belgium’s Group D, as they face arguably their toughest game against France.
Belgium of course are massive outsiders for both the tournament and this game in particular, however, with nothing to lose and many underestimating them, they could surprise a few.
In their way stands European giants France, led by manager Corinne Diacre. They currently sit third favorites with the bookmakers to win the entire tournament. After hosting the 2019 Women’s World Cup and losing out to eventual winners USA in the quarter-finals, they are out for redemption.
Let’s take a look at some key areas around this fixture and give some football predictions. Place your sports bets at Bet777.be, – the best place for football odds and online bets on Belgium.
At Bet777.be, you can bet on Belgium to go all the way and win Euro 2022 at 66/1, or choose France who are one of the favorites at 5/1.
Knockouts await
Matchday 2 is here and teams will have one eye on the knockout stages to come. With Serneels’ Belgium side looking to prove the bookmakers wrong and a France side who are heavy favorites to go all the way, this matchup may not be as straight-forward as many think.
Of course this France side on paper has far more quality and experience than their Belgian opposition. Their unbeaten qualification campaign has put them in great stead to take their form into this month’s tournament.
However, with all the pressure on their shoulders, do not be surprised if they struggle to get past this sturdy Belgium side convincingly.
Diacre’s French side have gone from strength to strength since the disappointing quarter-final exit in the 2019 FIFA World Cup. However, in the history of the Women’s Euros, the quarter-final has again been their downfall having never made it past that stage.
A win here in matchday 2 would almost guarantee them a quarter-final and give them what they came here to do and that is to make history. Belgium’s desire to be the tournament dark horse will have to outweigh the passion of the French if they are to get any points from this tie.
At Bet777.be we have Belgium to win Group D at 12/1, with France currently favourites to top the group at 1/4.
Head to Head
The Belgium Women’s side are currently ranked 19th in the world with opponents France ranked 3rd. France have shot up the rankings in recent years and their unbeaten record in qualifying for this tournament definitely helped that.
Looking at the previous meetings for these two and it does not make good reading for Belgian fans. In three previous meetings France have three wins with the last two victories both being a 7-0 scoreline.
These results must be taken with a pinch of salt as the sides have not met since 2018, but with France certainly improving since then, our football prediction is that it will be the Red Devil’s toughest test.
At Bet777.be you can bet on Belgium to win & Under 2.5 goals at 18/5.
France to make the final is 2/1 at Bet777.be, with Belgium 50/1 to reach the final.
Key Players
As discussed before, the Red Devils will be led by captain Tessa Wullaert. As Belgium’s all-time leading goalscorer and all round maestro, our football predictions suggest she will be key in any chance her side have of getting a result.
In terms of scoring against this resilient France defence, Tine De Caigny is the key. Top goalscorer in qualifying and the centre of all the Reds attacking output, De Caigny is vital.
The French side is stacked with quality, experience and character. With legendary centre back Wendie Renard in their side, the French will be tough to break down. One of the most decorated players on the pitch and well respected human beings off the pitch, Renard epitomises the grit of the French team.
Up front, look no further than Marie-Antoinette Katoto. Coming off the back of a 46 goal season with her domestic club PSG, Katoto is expected to be battling it out for the tournament’s Golden Boot. After missing out on the last major tournament in 2019, she has now gone on to become the key player in the French side, with any success likely to come from Katoto’s involvements.
Marie-Antoinette Katoto to win the golden boot is 15/2 in the football predictions at Bet777.be, or choose to bet on Tine De Caigny to be the tournament’s top goalscorer at 28/1.
Do not miss out on this make or break tie as the Red Devil’s of Belgium take on the in-form French side on Thursday 14th July at 9pm. The game will be hosted by York City’s New York Stadium.
Like the look of our football predictions? Place your selections online at Bet777.be, – the best place to bet on Belgium.
