All articles by: Ieuan Ivett

Netherlands Women’s vs Norway Women’s – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Netherlands Women’s vs Norway Women’s – Match Preview

Netherlands Women’s vs Norway Women’s – Match Preview – After much anticipation and build-up, the 2017 UEFA Women’s European Championships kick off with the hosts, Netherlands, facing two-time winners of the tournament, Norway. The streets of Utrecht will be filled with orange and red as both sets of fans will be hoping their sides can begin their campaigns with a victory. Record breaking attendances are to be expected throughout the tournament as the 12th official UEFA Women’s Euros kicks off this Sunday.

Vivianne Miedema plays her club football for Arsenal Ladies Photo Credit: fifa.com

Netherlands have been preparing for their opener with some friendly matches against Japan, Austria and Wales. The tournament hosts most recently dispatched of the Welsh in a 5-0 thrashing that saw Arsenal Ladies striker, Vivianne Miedema, score two second half goals to silence the Welsh Women. The friendlies left the Dutch in good spirits heading into the tournament with a 3-0 win over Austria prior to the Wales match; proving they are having no problem finding the back of the net. Dutch manager and legend, Sarina Weigman, appears to be in a motivated mood ahead of their curtain raiser; believing she can lead her side all the way to lifting the trophy for the first time in history.  It’s very common at the Women’s Euros for the hosts to win their opener, can Netherlands continue the trend?

Skybet Match Result – Netherlands to Win – 6/5

Norway Women are the second most successful nation in the history of the UEFA Women’s Euros behind the ever-dominant, Germany. Norway beat the Netherlands when they met in the group stage at the last Euros, 1-0, and went on to top the group whilst Netherlands finished bottom. Norway most recently took to the field for a friendly against France where they drew 1-1 thanks to a late equaliser by Maren Mjelde. Norway have a great history against the Dutch; having won 11 of their 14 competitive meetings. All these factors will give the Norwegians a mental boost heading into the tournament opener where the bookmakers have them as outsiders.

Skybet Match Result – Norway to Win – 21/10

Netherlands and Norway are in Group A with Belgium and Denmark who will be kicking off their campaigns after this match on Sunday.

This match is the first #BetalystGameOfDay for the UEFA 2017 Women’s Euros and is sure to be a tight and tense affair. Expect goals from these two sides as their attackers are some of the most dangerous in the tournament.

Skybet Under/Over 2.5 Goals – Over 2.5 Goals in 90 mins – 10/11

Costa Rica vs French Guiana – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Costa Rica vs French Guiana – Match Preview

Costa Rica vs French Guiana – Match Preview – Costa Rica face French Guiana in the last round of group fixtures at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The favourites, Costa Rica, drew in their last outing against the Group A leaders, Canada. An equaliser on the stroke of half time by Francisco Calvo was all the Central American outfit could conjure up from their 20 total shots. French Guiana’s second match against Honduras ended in a bore draw and a very evenly contested match; with nothing to spilt on possession. All is still possible for French Guiana who are currently at the foot of Group A but this tough Costa Rican opposition will be looking to secure their place in the next round.

Marco Urena Photo Credit: skysports.com

Costa Rica illustrated some much-improved defensive tactics against Canada in their previous match. Canada’s clear attacking threat was hushed to a minimum which allowed the Central American’s counter attacking potential to flourish. Oscar Ramirez’ team were unfortunate to not get all three points from the match with the Group leaders but can secure their place in the next round with a point against French Guiana. Striker, Marco Urena, was unable to convert numerous chances in the last match but was able to net in their opener against Honduras. The striker remains a big threat to the French Guiana defence and will have to be man-marked if they wish to keep him quiet. Can Oscar Ramirez’ men get the job done?

Skybet Match Result – Costa Rica to Win – 2/11

The bookmakers are not giving French Guiana much chance in this one. After defeat to Canada in a six-goal thriller, French Guiana went toe to toe with Honduras and will be frustrated they were unable to be more clinical. Striker, Sloan Privat, will be head coach, Jair Karam’s biggest threat. Privat scored in French Guiana’s first match against Canada; which was French Guiana’s first ever appearance at the Gold Cup. As aforementioned, French Guiana are huge outsiders for this match however impressed in that previous bore draw with Honduras. Can French Guiana pull of the biggest shock so far at the CONCACAF Gold Cup?

Skybet Match Result – French Guiana to Win – 14/1

Team News

Both left back, Bryan Oviedo, and winger, Joel Campbell, are doubtful ahead of this match due to minor injuries.

French Guiana have no fresh injury worries or suspensions to alter team selection.

Mexico vs Jamaica – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Mexico vs Jamaica – Match Preview

Mexico vs Jamaica – Match Preview – Mexico will face Jamaica in the second round of group fixtures at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Both nations earned three points in their openers and are occupying the top two spots in Group C. As we previously predicted, history did repeat itself for Mexico and El Salvador as the Mexicans once again were victorious 3-1 over their Central American opponents; three goals inside the first hour was enough to see them over the line. Jamaica were clinical in their 2-0 win over Curacao, with less shots and possession than their Caribbean opponents, however, two second half goals secured their first points of the campaign.

Elias Hernandez Photo Credit: espnfc.com

The Mexicans are favourites to lift the Gold Cup and showed exactly why in their previous outing; their young and uncapped fringe players took the initiative and were ruthless in attack. However, in typical Mexican fashion, weaknesses were exposed by El Salvador and will be manager, Juan Carlos Osario’s priority ahead of this showdown. Osario however will not be on the touchline for this match as he will continue to serve his six-match touchline ban following his misconduct during the Confederations Cup. Winger, Elias Hernandez, will be the Mexicans biggest threat after he turned plenty of heads with a stunning performance against El Salvador. The Morelia winger scored once and assisted twice; the pick of the bunch being a delightful set-piece delivery to Hedgardo Marin to score the games opener. Can Mexico secure their place in the next round?

Skybet Match Result – Mexico to Win – 2/5

Jamaica will be happy with their curtain raiser as they overcame their Caribbean rivals, Curacao, with a clinical, efficient performance that left manager, Winfried Schafer, a base to build on. However, a few rather alarming frailties were brought to the spotlight that would suggest they are going to struggle against the Mexicans. Although being victorious on the most important match statistic, the score line, the Jamaicans struggled to sync for much of the match and were lucky to not concede against a Curacao side that were frustrated with their lack of composure. Mexico will be able to expose these weaknesses with more finesse than Curacao did and could be a mountain too high for the Jamaicans to climb, but the bookmakers could be in for a surprise.

Skybet Match Result – Jamaica to Win – 7/1

Neither nation has any injuries or suspensions to worry about ahead of Friday’s match.

The last time these two met, Mexico won 2-0. After successfully tipping the score line for Mexico’s last match vs El Salvador, could history repeat itself yet again?

Skybet Correct Score – Mexico to Win 2-0 – 11/2