Italy Women vs Belgium Women Predictions

• Both teams have scored in five of Italy’s last seven games – including both of their contests at the Women’s Euros.
• Belgium have also seen goals scored at both ends in five of their last seven matches, with quarter-finalists England and Austria the only teams to shut them out.
• Both teams netted in both of the teams’ last two head-to-head meetings – with each side claiming one 2-1 win apiece.

Manchester meeting decisive in Group D

With Iceland looking unlikely to claim a result against in-form France in their final Group D match at the Women’s Euros, the Manchester meeting between Italy and Belgium could essentially be a play-off for a spot in the last eight, and is likely to be closely contested.

Italy responded to their 5-1 thrashing by France well, claiming a 1-1 draw against Iceland in a match they should have won; the Azzurre managed 66 per cent of the play and fired off 21 shots to their opponents’ 10. Indeed, Italy’s problem hasn’t been scoring goals, as they have 37 in their last 14 games. But they have seen both teams net in five of their last seven outings, and conceding five times in under 45 minutes against France demonstrated their fragility.

Belgium fared far better against France, losing 2-1 despite spending much of their time defending, but have also seen goals at both ends become a regular occurrence. Five of Belgium’s last seven games have featured both teams scoring, the exceptions being blanks against England and Austria. With both teams needing a win to guarantee progression, expect goals again on Monday.

Goals at both ends expected

Given both teams’ need to attack, we expect to see both teams net once again on Monday evening, as was the case in Italy and Belgium’s last two head-to-head games and in all four Group D matches to have taken place to date.

Meanwhile, Italy’s much-improved performance against Iceland suggests they may have enough about them to claim victory, but it will be close; a 2-1 Azzurre win looks a decent correct score prediction.