The February international window kicks off with games today and that means opportunities for international soccer betting. These include the important Tournoi de France and the Pinatar Cup.
Some of the world’s top teams are competing in a key year for women’s football. European Championships, Copa América, and other qualification games are starting to come thick and fast with plenty of lines for the matches available on Canadian and US sportsbooks.
Pinatar Cup features bevy of loaded European teams
Wales and Scotland kick off the action on Wednesday in a match that can rightfully be called a derby. Scotland is the favorite on FanDuel Sportsbook. Wales is playing at home and there’s plenty of talent to create what should be a good match.
Caroline Weir will be the focus of the action for the visitors with Erin Cuthbert out while the visitors counter with players like Sophie Ingle and Jess Fishlock are part of the home side. Wales have never won against Scotland in five games between each other, with two wins for the blues and two draws.
The Republic of Ireland and Poland continue the action in the Pinatar Cup, with Poland being the overwhelming favorites. The action on the Irish isn’t immediately worth dismissing either, though.
Ireland has an interesting squad that proved itself able to pull of the qualification to the semifinals of the Pinatar Cup. In fact, in the three matches which have been played between these two teams, each side has one win and the other match came to a draw.
Poland won the last outing with a thumping 4-0 win, but Ireland hasn’t lost any of its last three matches. That includes a 2-1 win against Finland.
Hungary vs. Russia is the other game with lines in the Pinatar Cup. Russia is a massive favorite and it makes a lot of sense if you only consider recent form. The Russians’ only previous meeting with the Hungarians resulted in a 3-0 win for Russia.
That match came all the way back in 2019, however. The development of the Hungarian team since acts as a wild card in this match. While the Russians certainly aren’t a favorite to win the cup here, they look the stronger side in this match.
Pair of huge matches in the Tournoi de France
The first of two fan-pleasing matchups is The Netherlands against Brazil. Both teams are filled with talent and have very capable coaches. The Netherlands, at least from the historic standpoint, has the advantage with no losses against Brazil in six appearances.
That set includes a match in an unofficial World Cup in 1988. The Dutch won the first three while the last match was a 3-3 draw in the 2021 Olympics. These two teams also met in the Tournoi de France in 2020. That affair ended in a 0-0 draw.
For those reasons, it makes sense that Holland is the favorite but the line on a draw is very tempting as well. Brazil will surely come into this match feeling its win against The Oranje is overdue.
France and Finland close the action for this Wednesday. France is, for sure, the favorite in this matchup. Coach Corinne Diacre‘s selection cast some shadows over the chances to win the Tournoi de France, though.
Finland has proven to be a very tough team with good talent like Emma Koivisto and Portland Thorns FC player Natalia Kuikka. They have had a hard time winning games and closing out matches but they go down fighting and it is within their reach to pull off a surprise.
This will be the first time these two teams have seen each other in friendly competition since 1992. Finland has one win over the French in a match for a World Cup qualifier in Helsinki in 2014. That ended 1-0. France is on a run of six wins against the Fins but Finland has evolved a lot.
Betting on France seems very secure. The line for a draw, taking into account their run of form and the roster selection, has its value as well. Daring on a win for Finland is only for the strong of heart, but it’s far from impossible for the same reason a draw is not out of the realm of possibility.
