USA v Holland: World Cup final free betting preview, free tips, when to watch

TV: BBC1, 4pm Sunday

In the eyes of bookmakers, Women's World Cup holders the USA have done the hard bit by beating France and England to reach the final and they give little hope of Holland adding the global crown to the European title they earned two years ago.

While England were heartbroken by a disallowed Ellen White goal and a missed Steph Houghton penalty, the favourites displayed their ruthless streak in Lyon on Tuesday, even in the absence of Megan Rapinoe, who has scored braces against Spain and France on the way to the semi-final.

• Women's World Cup knockout stages and tournament stats

Superior fitness and tactical nous proved crucial. They ground out the victory and even if they had been pegged back by the Lionesses, it seems a fair shout that the champions would have put the game to bed in extra-time, especially as England finished with ten players after Millie Bright's red card.

They are rightfully favourites and should beat Holland, but it may not be a simple passage.

While America cruised through their three group matches, they have been made to work in their passage towards the final. They needed two Rapinoe penalties to see off improving Spain and hosts France also managed to get on the scoresheet.

White's equaliser, when she turned home Beth Mead's cross in the rollercoaster clash, proved the Americans can be got at from wide areas and that is a point the Dutch will probably have been stressing since they boosted their final spot by beating Sweden in extra-time.

It has been a difficult voyage to the final for Holland. They needed to win a playoff to qualify and a last-gasp winning goal saved their bacon against New Zealand in the group stage. They were also fortunate to get past Japan in the last 16, aided by a controversial late penalty.

However, their forward line, led by Arsenal's Vivianne Miedema, has looked sharp and they have failed to score at least two goals only twice in their last nine games.

They will be desperate for Barcelona's Leike Martens to be available after she limped out of the Sweden game with a toe injury, as she can provide Miedema with plenty to feast upon.

The attacking threat will be there and the Americans cannot be complacent, so it would not be a surprise if Holland are able to make their mark.

But win their first World Cup? That might be a different story.

Recommendation
Both teams to score
2pts 23-20 Betfair

Key stat
The USA have lost just one of their last 44 matches.

Team lowdowns

USA
Strengths
The Americans are looking for their fourth Women's World Cup so they have been there and done it. That experience and their tactical astuteness should prove big assets.

Weaknesses
it is difficult to identify many but they have been unable to keep clean sheets in their last three matches and they can definitely be got at.

Key player
Alex Morgan has scored six goals in this tournament and while five of them came in the 13-0 win over Thailand, she took her header against England superbly and will have to be contained.

Holland
Strengths
Holland have played in plenty of important games and their European Championship success of two years ago will enhance their belief, even though they face a tougher task in this meeting.

Weaknesses
Their defence looked stronger against Sweden than in the last eight against Italy, but they could struggle against quick American breaks.

Key player
Vivianne Miedema is a threat in the air and on the ground. She will be the focus of the Dutch attack

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