Prediction: Portugal Women vs Italy Women

Verdict: Italy win

Best odds: 17/25

Bookmaker: Luckster

Italy Women will aim to build momentum at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 when they face Portugal Women in Geneva on Monday.

La Azzurre head into the Group B clash level on three points with Spain, having begun their campaign with a win. In contrast, Portugal are still chasing their first points after a heavy opening loss to reigning world champions Spain.

Portugal

Portugal head into Monday’s clash with Italy knowing that their hopes of reaching the Women’s Euro knockout rounds for the first time are hanging by a thread.

Following group-stage exits in both 2017 and 2022, Francisco Neto’s side were looking to break new ground in Switzerland, but their campaign began in disastrous fashion with a 5-0 defeat to Spain. Conceding twice in the opening seven minutes and four times in a dismal first half, Portugal managed to limit further damage after the break but offered little going forward.

That result extended their poor recent run to five defeats in six matches, with at least three goals conceded in each of those losses. Worryingly, they have also drawn a blank in their last four outings, underlining the need for a significant upturn in performance if they are to stay alive in Group B.

Defeat to Italy would see Portugal eliminated with a game to spare if Spain avoid defeat against Belgium in the group’s other fixture. As such, Neto’s side face a must-win situation in Geneva.

Team News

Portugal are likely to remain without playmaker Kika Nazareth, who continues to recover from an ankle injury.

Ana Seica and veteran Ana Borges are pushing for starts after being introduced at half time against Spain, while Neto may stick with Jessica Silva and Diana Silva up front, hoping the duo can pose more of a threat after being largely contained in the opener.

Italy

Italy enter Monday’s clash with Portugal knowing that another win could seal their place in the Women’s Euro 2025 quarter-finals for the first time in over a decade.

After back-to-back group-stage exits in 2017 and 2022, La Azzurre got off to a promising start this time around, edging Belgium 1-0 thanks to a stunning first-half strike from Bayern Munich’s Arianna Caruso. That result not only boosted their hopes of progression but also continued a solid run of form, with Italy now unbeaten in four matches (W3 D1) and having kept three clean sheets in that span.

Andrea Soncin’s side are aiming to string together three consecutive wins for the first time since February 2022, and their momentum should give them confidence against a Portugal team still reeling from a heavy defeat to Spain.

Should Italy take all three points and Spain avoid defeat to Belgium, La Azzurre would be guaranteed a top-two finish in Group B with a game to spare.

Team News

Soncin is expected to stick with a settled starting XI, provided there are no late injury setbacks. Veteran forward Cristiana Girelli, Italy’s all-time second-highest scorer, will lead the line as she looks to add to her 53 international goals.

Meanwhile, Giada Greggi may be in line for increased minutes after returning from injury with a substitute appearance in the win over Belgium, adding further depth to a midfield anchored by Caruso’s creativity and composure.

Conclusion

Monday’s clash is likely to mirror the tight, hard-fought nature of Italy’s opener against Belgium, but with momentum on their side and three wins from their last four internationals, La Azzurre should have the edge.

Backed by growing confidence and defensive solidity, Italy are well placed to grind out another narrow victory and take a significant step toward the Euro 2025 quarter-finals at Portugal’s expense.

Verdict: Italy win

Best odds: 17/25

Bookmaker: Luckster