Portugal vs Italy Prediction: Clean sheet the target for Soncin

Portugal were on the end of a bit of a battering from Spain in their opener of the Women’s European Championship, but that was to be expected against the world champions. Their tournament really begins as they face Italy in Geneva (20:00 BST, ITV1), after the Italians secured a 1-0 success over Belgium in their first match. 

Below you can find my Portugal vs Italy predictions as we look to secure another winner.

Team News

Two Anas, Seica and Borges, could be handed starts for Portugal after coming on as half-time substitutes in that 5-0 defeat to Spain, as Francisco Neto looks for an instant response. 

Jessica Silva and Diana Silva started up front but had little to work with so may be given another chance, while captain Carole Costa struggled at the heart of the back five but her leadership will be vital if they are to get anything in this one. 

Italy’s Andrea Soncin doesn’t need the same reaction from his side, after a solid 1-0 win. He could name the same XI, although Roma’s Giada Greggi got some minutes off the bench on her way back from injury and is a potential option to come into the midfield. 

Bayern Munich midfielder Arianna Caruso scored the only goal of the game, with the Juventus front two of Cristiana Girelli and Sofia Cantore hoping to get amongst the goals against Portugal. 

Portugal vs Italy Odds 

Portugal are priced up at 9/2 to win this game, with Italy available at 4/6. That gives the nominated away side an implied win probability of 60% for this second group game. A draw can be backed at 11/4, over 2.5 goals is 10/11 and BTTS is the same price. 

Experienced Juventus striker Girelli is the favourite to score first at 4/1, having scored 57 goals for her country.

Italy to win to nil @ 8/5

Italy are the strong favourites to win this game and I believe they will get the job done in comfortable fashion. Portugal have been on a rough ride of late up against some of the best teams in Europe, losing heavily to Spain, England and Belgium in the approach to this tournament. 

In their warm-up game, they worryingly drew 0-0 with Nigeria and goalscoring has been a real issue of late. They’ve now failed to score in their last four outings, while Italy are unbeaten in four - having kept three clean sheets in that time. They should be able to edge a tight encounter in Geneva, and put themselves into the last eight.

Today's Football Fixtures

Price Boost - Cristiana Girelli to score anytime @ 6/4

Girelli failed to score in Italy’s opener, but I’m keen to back her to find the net here, especially given the fact that Betfred have boosted her odds from 5/4 to 6/4 at the time of writing. Portugal have been conceding plenty, letting in 14 goals in their last four - while Girelli is a reliable goalscorer. 

57 goals in 102 international appearances and 19 goals in 24 Serie A fixtures this season gives me enough faith that the 35-year-old can find the net in this crucial group game. Italy are looking like they can make a splash in Switzerland. 

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