United States vs Netherlands – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
THE FACTS
When is United States vs Netherlands on and what time does it start? United States vs Netherlands will take place on Thursday 27th July, 2023 – 02:00 (UK)
Where is United States vs Netherlands taking place? United States vs Netherlands will take place at Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand.
Where can I get tickets for United States vs Netherlands? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for United States vs Netherlands
What channel is United States vs Netherlands on in the UK? United States vs Netherlands will be televised live on BBC One
Where can I stream United States vs Netherlands in the UK? United States vs Netherlands can be streamed on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website
THE LOWDOWN
UNITED STATES
- United States did as was expected of them in their opening fixture of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and brushed aside Vietnam by three goals to nil, Sophia Smith netting brace before Lindsey Horan added a third in the second half, setting them up well ahead of this crunch Group E contest.
- Experienced forward Megan Rapinoe came off the bench against Vietnam and an example of such depth should serve United States well in this one, with substitutes likely to be very important when taking into account the quality of their opposition.
NETHERLANDS
- An early goal from centre-back Stefanie Van der Gragt proved enough for Netherlands to get the better of Portugal, a game which saw them work really well to keep the shackles on Portugal from an attacking perspective, restricting them to just two shots on goal and a similar strong showing from the Dutch backline will required vs United States.
- Netherlands deployed a back three against Portugal with Jackie Groenen protecting them in the centre of midfield and the wing-backs in particular could play a key role going forward here.
THE TEAM NEWS
UNITED STATES
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Naeher; Fox, Ertz, Girma, Dunn; DeMelo, Sullivan, Horan; Rodman, Morgan, Smith
UNAVAILABLE: Macario (Injured), Mewis (Injured), Press (Injured), Sauerbrunn (Injured), Swanson (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
NETHERLANDS
PREDICTED XI (3-1-4-2): Van Domselaar; Spitse, Van der Gragt, Janssen; Groenen; Pelova, Brugts Roord, Van de Donk; Beerensteyn, Martens
UNAVAILABLE: Miedema (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- USA are unbeaten in a record 18 successive matches at the finals (excluding penalty shoot-outs), winning each of the last 13, which is also a record.
- USA have kept 10 clean sheets in their last 12 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ group stage matches.
- USA have only lost one of their previous 25 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ group stage matches (W21 D3).
- USA have scored in each of their last 13 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches.
- Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe have both scored nine goals at the Women’s World Cup. The top three scorers for the nation in the history of the competition are Abby Wambach (14), Michelle Akers (12) and Carli Lloyd (10).
- The Netherlands have won seven of their last eight FIFA Women's World Cup matches. The exception being their 2-0 defeat against the USA in the 2019 final.
- The Netherlands have won their last four FIFA Women’s World Cup group stage matches.
- The Netherlands have kept three clean sheets in their last four FIFA Women's World Cup matches.
- The Netherlands have never conceded more than one goal in FIFA Women’s World Cup group stage match.
THE PREDICTION
A repeat of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup serves as one of the most exciting ties in the group stage with Netherlands hoping to gain a modicum of revenge on the back-to-back world champions. The two teams here will be well aware of the threat their opponents pose but one of the most impressive aspect in regards to both United States and Netherlands is how well-drilled they are defensively, which the latter especially will need to be in this match against the attacking riches of United States. But with each coming off the back of solid victories, neither need to take any undue risks here and it wouldn’t be the worst result for either in this group game was to end in a draw, which is well worth backing.
TIP: DRAW
