The USA beat the Netherlands in the 2019 World Cup final and they will be hoping for a similar outcome in the teams’ Group E clash in Wellington which kicks off at 2am UK time on Thursday 27 July.

Team news

The USA are expected to pick the same line-up who eased to victory over Vietnam. Two-goal Sophia Smith and the experienced Abbie Morgan, who missed a penalty in the opening game, are the major attacking threats.

Dutch coach Andries Jonker could also name an unchanged side with Stefanie van der Gragt, who scored the only goal against Portugal, at the heart of defence.

USA to win to nil @ 6/4

The Group E big guns both made winning starts to their World Cup campaigns but the Netherlands were made to work hard for their 1-0 victory over Portugal and could struggle to land a blow on the USA.

The Stars and Stripes, bidding for a record-extending fifth Women’s World Cup success, beat the Dutch 2-0 in the 2019 final and eased to a 3-0 win over Vietnam in their opening game.

Tougher tests await Vlatko Andonovski’s side at this tournament but they should be full of confidence after stretching their winning run to ten matches and keeping clean sheets in eight of their last nine victories.

The Netherlands needed a header from centre-back Stefanie van der Gragt to break down the Portuguese defence and their forwards face a tough test in their second group game. The USA appeal to win to nil and the 2-0 correct score is also worth considering at 13/2.

#PickYourPunt – Under 2.5 Goals, Sophia Smith To Score Anytime & Danielle van de Donk 1+ Shots @ 6/1

The USA are the powerhouses of women’s international football but they have not been blowing teams away recently and five of their last seven wins were by a 1-0 or 2-0 scoreline.

That suggests under 2.5 goals is a solid starting point for our #PickYourPunt, although USA forward Sophia Smith will be confident of making an impression even in a low-scoring contest.

The 22-year-old notched twice against Vietnam last weekend, taking her international tally to 14 goals in 31 caps, and she can trouble the Dutch defence.

Experienced Netherlands midfielder Danielle van de Donk should not be overawed by the occasion, having played in plenty of big games for Arsenal and Lyon as well as the 2019 World Cup final.

Van de Donk is worth backing to have at least one shot as she has licence to get forward from midfield and forced Portugal goalkeeper Ines Pereira into a smart save in the opening game.