Belgium and Italy will meet in their opening game of the Women's UEFA European Championships on Thursday evening. The two nations have been placed in Group B alongside one of the pre-tournament favourites in Spain and their neighbours Portugal.
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Belgium Women vs Italy Women prediction: All square in low-scoring affair?
Key stats
- Belgium have won the previous three H2Hs.
- Italy are currently on a three-game unbeaten run.
- Italy have only conceded once in those three matches.
Correct score prediction: Belgium Women 1-1 Italy Women
Given that there are only a mere seven places between them in the current FIFA World Rankings, these two teams could be fairly evenly-matched. Italy are ranked higher in 13th place, but their poor H2H record against Belgium (20th) suggests that it will not be straightforward for them to claim all three points.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Italy installed as favourites with bookmakers
- HOME: 3/1 (4.00) – 25.0%
- DRAW: 29/10 (3.90) – 25.6%
- AWAY: 4/5 (1.80) – 55.6%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Perhaps unsurprisingly given their superior world ranking and the fact that they are in good form leading up to the tournament, Italy have been installed as odds-on favourites with bookmakers. A draw is rated only slightly above a Belgium win, as shown by the implied probabilities.
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Most recent H2Hs: Belgium on top
As mentioned previously, Belgium have won the last three H2Hs between the two teams. In fact, they have won four of the previous five meetings, which certainly bodes well for them in terms of causing a potential upset.
Womenu2023s International 16/02/23
Italy Women
Belgium Women
Euro Championships Women 18/07/22
Italy Women
Belgium Women
Womens World Cup Qual 04/09/18
Belgium Women
Italy Women
Womens World Cup Qual 10/04/18
Italy Women
Belgium Women
Womens International 03/03/17
Italy Women
Belgium Women
Belgium Women preview: No fresh concerns
Belgium have no new injury problems ahead of this clash, meaning that they will have a fully fit squad to choose from. They will likely set up in a 3-5-2 formation from the start.
Predicted lineup: Evrard (GK); Tysuak, Kees, Cayman; Janssens, Caigny, Vanhaevermaet, Teulings, Deloose; Wullaert & Blom
UEFA Women's Nations League 08/04/25
W
England Women
2
Belgium Women
3
UEFA Women's Nations League 04/04/25
L
England Women
5
Belgium Women
0
UEFA Women's Nations League 26/02/25
L
Portugal Women
1
Belgium Women
0
UEFA Women's Nations League 21/02/25
L
Spain Women
3
Belgium Women
2
Womens Euro Championships Qual 03/12/24
W
Ukraine Women
1
Belgium Women
2
Italy Women preview: Full squad to choose from
Like their opponents, Italy also have no fresh concerns in their squad. They are likely going to set up in a 4-3-3 formation from the start.
Predicted lineup: Giuliani (GK); Lenzini, Salvai, Linari, Boattin; Caruso, Giugliano, Severini; Oliviero, Girelli & Cantore
UEFA Women's Nations League 08/04/25
W
Denmark Women
0
Italy Women
3
UEFA Women's Nations League 04/04/25
L
Sweden Women
3
Italy Women
2
UEFA Women's Nations League 25/02/25
L
Denmark Women
3
Italy Women
1
UEFA Women's Nations League 21/02/25
W
Wales Women
0
Italy Women
1
Womenu2019s International 02/12/24
W
Germany Women
1
Italy Women
2
Player to watch: Manuela Giugliano
This game feels like it could be won or lost in midfield, and Italy Women have a true maestro in Manuela Giugliano. The Roma star has earned a total of 77 senior caps for her country at the age of 27, scoring nine goals.
One of those strikes came in Italy's last meeting with Belgium Women in 2023, albeit in a 2-1 defeat. Nonetheless, she is more known for her elite supply to the front line, as she grabbed two assists in Italy's 4-1 win over Wales Women in their previous outing, while also securing a goal and an assist in a 3-0 victory against Denmark in April.