Odds have it, Canada is going to end up being alright when it comes to qualifying for the Round of 16 in the World Cup no matter what happens on Monday night in Montreal.
However, it's going to take at least a point in this third and final match against the Netherlands to guarantee that its World Cup dreams will stay alive.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Canada is understandably going to be a heavy favorite in this match, but there will be many wondering whether it is truly a worthwhile massive favorite in this one. If the World Cup matches each ended after 89 minutes, the Canadians would have no goals and just two points to show for their work even though they were heavy favorites to beat both China and the Netherlands. This won't be an easy match for sure, especially with the pressure of needing at least a point to ensure qualification for the knockout rounds.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We definitely performed as we should at the start of the game. After a period, we became separated on the pitch allowing China to gain control of the midfield. We needed to become more compact. China are an organized team, and if you give your opponent this much space, then it is normal they will be better." – Netherlands manager Roger Reijners on Thursday's loss to China
RECENT FORM
The Dutch were unlucky not to get at least a point from China, and as it ended up playing out, that would have been good enough to put it at the top of Group A and very likely in the second round of this tournament. However, the Netherlands now has just three points to show for its work so far in Group A, that coming thanks to a win over New Zealand.
Canada has been nothing short of a disappointment here in this tournament. The team really was expected to have six points at this point with at least a top two finish in Group A guaranteed. Now, not even a win would totally ensure safety as the Group A winner, which could cause some real problems when it comes to the second round of this tournament. The 0-0 draw against New Zealand was excellent from a defensive standpoint, but the offense has continued to struggle here on home grounds.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Goals have been at a premium over the course of this tournament for all of the teams in Group A, as there have been either one goal or no goals scored in each of the matches.
We suspect that this is going to end in this game. Remember that there have only been five matches in Women's World Cup history end at 0-0, and Canada is one of the least likely teams to have one of those duels. Jonelle Filigno and Christine Sinclair just haven't gotten anything going towards the net for Canada even though it has enjoyed the massive share of the possession thus far in both of its matches.
The Dutch are still very young at this point, and we aren't all that sure that they have the goods to play a de facto road game against a team as talented as Canada really is with so much on the line. Unless Canada just never gets going offensively in this game for a third straight fixture – something we just really can't see happening – the hosts should secure either a first or second place finish and have the Netherlands sweating its spot in the knockout rounds.
Canada 2, Netherlands 0
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Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The fixture between Canada and Netherlands will take place on Monday, June 15, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The game will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1.
