France v Netherlands predictions: Diani can contribute to high-scoring clash

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for France v Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the Women's Euros on Saturday.

Where to watch

BBC One, 8pm

Best bets

Kadidiatou Diani to score first
1pt 13-2 Hills

Both teams to score
1pt 8-11 general

Preview

Never before have France gone beyond the last eight of a major women's tournament but they have an excellent opportunity to do just that when they take on the Netherlands in the last quarter-final of Euro 2022 in Rotherham.

Les Bleues laid down a marker early at this summer's Euros, establishing a 5-0 lead over Italy less than 45 minutes into their first match of the tournament, and they went on to top Group D with seven points.

Manager Corinne Diacre rotated personnel for their final group game against Iceland, who held them to a 1-1 draw, and the French should be fit and ready to fire first against the Dutch.

All eight of the goals France have scored at Euro 2022 have come in the first half and they have a decent candidate in the first goalscorer market in forward Kadidiatou Diani.

With Marie-Antoinette Katoto no longer in the equation, France need an alternative source of goals in the final third and Diani could fit the bill, having struck 13 goals in 18 league games for club side Paris Saint-Germain last season.

Diani is already off the mark in the tournament having bagged the opener against Belgium and can breach a Netherlands defence which has been far from impenetrable this tournament.

The defending European champions conceded in all of their three group assignments with Sweden, Portugal and Switzerland and it would be no surprise if their quarter-final followed suit as a high-scoring match.

Netherlands manager Mark Parsons has been dealt a blow as Euro 2017 Player of the Tournament Lieke Martens has been ruled out with a tournament-ending foot injury but Esmee Brugts is an able deputy on the flank.

And the Netherlands should be welcoming back Women's Super League star Vivianne Miedema, who has recovered from Covid-19.

This is sure to be a gripping contest and France look about right at 3-4 to win in 90 minutes but the better bet could be to side with goals and back both teams to score.

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