Women's Euro 2022 group predictions: Experience should help Italy into knockouts

Free football group tips, best bets and analysis for the Women's Euro 2022, starting on Wednesday July 6.

Best group bets

Netherlands to win Group C
1pt 4-5 Betfred

Italy to qualify from Group D
2pts 4-6 bet365

Preview

Group A

Tournament hosts England have been dealt a relatively soft section at Euro 2022 and are 2-5 to win Group A ahead of Norway, Austria and debutants Northern Ireland.

It looks like a toss-up between Norway - who are spearheaded by former Ballon d'Or Feminin winner Ada Hegerberg and Barcelona's Caroline Graham Hansen - and Austria for second spot.

At 2-1 with bet365, the Austrians arguably offer better value to progress, having shipped only three times in qualifying and given how shaky the Norwegians looked at the Algarve Cup this year.

It would be a surprise to see Northern Ireland push for a top-two berth.

Group B

Group B features tournament outright favourites Spain, who can be backed at 8-11 to win the section ahead of Germany, who are a best-priced 15-8.

That seems about right given the quality of Spain's starting 11, which features top attacking quality in Alexia Putellas, Mariona Caldentey and Esther Gonzalez.

Spearheaded by Chelsea's Pernille Harder, Denmark can also be a tough nut to crack but have drawn the short straw by being put in this group, which is completed by outsiders Finland.

Group C

The Netherlands may not replicate what they did under Sarina Wiegman at Euro 2017 this summer but the squad is littered with stars and they are worth a bet to top the section at 4-5.

Star of the last Euros Lieke Martens and Arsenal sensation Vivianne Miedema make up a front line which would intimidate any defence, while Mark Parsons has a couple of secret weapons up his sleeve in youngsters Esmee Brugts and Damaris Egurrola.

Sweden were third at the last World Cup and are not to be ruled out but the Dutch won all six of their matches at the last European Championship and the bulk of that squad is much the same.

The other nations in Group C are Switzerland and Portugal, who were confirmed as Russia's replacements earlier this year.

Group D

France are the standout team in Group D and there is little disputing the 3-10 about Les Bleus finishing top.

The battle for second, however, is intriguing with Italy, Iceland and Belgium all in contention.

Of the three, Italy look the best selection to qualify at 4-6 with bet365, due largely to their superior tournament experience.

Belgium have never made a World Cup, have played in the Euros only once before in 2017 and looked leaky in their pre-tournament friendly with England.

Iceland, meanwhile, crashed out in the group stage at Euro 2017, whereas Italy, who are led by seven-time Serie A winner Barbara Bonansea in attack, made the quarter-finals of the World Cup only three years ago.

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