Netherlands (W) v Canada (W)

Group E has a top heavy feel to it, with both the Netherlands and Canada cruising through, whle Cameroon and New Zealand are both pointless, and will slug it out in the hope of improving their goal difference enough to sneak through as a best placed 3rd finisher. It looks unlikely that either can recover their (-3) goal difference column enough to progress.

Calling the top match is tricky. While both are through, you’d arguably want to top the group given how the draw looks like playing out, and Netherlands will do that if they can draw or beat Canada courtesy of their better goal difference.

There really is very little to call between the pair, and the bookies agree – this is priced up as the most competitive affair so far in the whole World Cup. While Canada are ranked slightly higher, the Netherlands warmed up brilliantly, with a 3-0 win over Australia, a 7-0 win over Chile and a 2-0 victory against Mexico.

At this level, goal expectations begin to fall away typically, so we probably shouldn’t expect a hatful of goals. One striker who should be noted though is Vivianne Miedema. We tipped her in the opening match, and then missed her against Cameroon, where she netter twice. That took her international tally to 60 in just 77 matches and the Arsenal striker is about as deadly as they come.

She already have seven international goals in 2019 (scoring against South Africa (2), China, Chile, Australia and Cameroon (2), and that added to a whopping 24 netted over 2017/18. She’s just 22 and is still improving and has proved she can score against the best sides already. At 5/1 she looks decent value to open the scoring in this one.

1pt Vivianne Miedema to score 1st at 5/1 (Betway)

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