Luis Torres
Dailysports's expert
On July 7, 2025, the second round of Group B at the Women's European Championship will feature a showdown between Portugal and Italy. Let's dive into a bet on the teams' attacking output for this clash.
Portugal
The Portuguese women's national team enters the second round of the European Championship in a tough spot, both mentally and in terms of form. Their opening match against Spain ended in a crushing 0-5 defeat, marking a sixth consecutive game without a win. Of particular concern is their lack of attacking threat: Portugal has now failed to score in four straight matches.
Portugal is not considered a favorite in this encounter either. The qualifying campaign and pre-Euro 2025 friendlies confirmed just how difficult it is for them to compete with top-tier opposition. Their last victory came back in February 2025, when they narrowly edged Belgium 1-0.
The national team finished bottom in their Nations League group and has once again dropped back to League B, just after recently earning promotion. International experience remains limited: at the 2023 World Cup, Portugal failed to progress from the group stage, finishing third in a pool with the Netherlands, the USA, and Vietnam.
Portugal's record against Italy is particularly dismal—six defeats from six matches. This is yet another factor working against them ahead of this direct encounter.
Italy
The Italian women's national team is in fine form and made a confident start to the Euros. In the first round, they edged Belgium 1-0, thanks to a precise strike from Adriana Caruso. That result extended Italy's unbeaten run to four matches, with three clean sheets in that span.
Italy is a regular fixture at the Women's European Championships. Despite their pedigree, major success has eluded them in recent decades. Their best results came in 1993 and 1997, when they reached the tournament finals but lost on both occasions. Since then, Italy have only featured in the group stage and have not advanced to the knockout rounds.
In the Nations League, Italy competed in League A and delivered a solid campaign: they collected 10 points, finished second in their group behind Sweden, and retained their place in the elite division.
Heading into the Portugal match, Italy enjoys a psychological edge thanks to their historical head-to-head dominance. The teams have mostly met in World Cup qualifiers, and Italy have come out on top in all six meetings, keeping a clean sheet in four of them.
Probable lineups
- Portugal: Teixeira, F. Pinto, Costa, Seica, Borges, Jacinto, Norton, T. Pinto, Amado, D. Silva, J. Silva.
- Italy: Giuliani, Lenzini, Salvai, Linari, Di Guglielmo, Cantore, Giuliano, Severini, Boattin, Caruso, Girelli.
Interesting facts and head-to-head
- Portugal have lost 5 of their last 6 matches.
- 5 of Portugal's last 6 games have seen over 2.5 goals.
- Italy have won 3 of their last 4 matches.
- Italy have scored first in 4 of their last 5 matches.
Portugal vs Italy match prediction
Italy come into this match in markedly better form and are deservedly the favorites. They started the tournament strongly, showing consistent results and a reliable defense. Portugal, on the other hand, are in crisis: five losses in their last six matches and four consecutive games without a goal. Their attacking woes are especially problematic against Italy's organized backline. Italy's dominance in the head-to-head—six wins from six, with four clean sheets—further tips the balance in their favor.
Expect Italy to control the game but without a high-scoring outcome. My bet for this match is under 2.5 goals at odds of 1.89.
