Preview: Italy Women vs. Belgium Women - prediction, team news, lineups

Italy enter the contest off the back of a 1-1 draw against Iceland, while Belgium lost narrowly to France in their second group game.

Match preview

Despite sitting bottom of Group C, Italy can still finish in the top two as they bid to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

Their tournament got off to a disappointing start, with France scoring five goals in the first half to condemn Italy to a 5-1 defeat.

Italy also failed to get out of the blocks in their second game against Iceland, conceding the opening goal within three minutes of kick-off.

However, a second-half strike from Valentina Bergamaschi rescued a point for Milena Bertolini's side, ensuring they will enter the final group game with a chance to progress to the quarter-finals.

Italy know that not only do they need to win on Sunday to make it through to the knockout stages, but they also require Iceland to drop points against France.

Like their opponents, Belgium's two group games have yielded a single point despite the Belgian Red Flames competing well in both of their matches.

After playing out a 1-1 draw against Iceland, Belgium faced a tough test against a France side who had beaten Italy 5-1 in their opening game.

Kadidiatou Diani got France off to a flying start before Janice Cayman restored parity, but Griedge Mbock grabbed what proved to be the winner in the 41st minute, condemning the Belgian Red Flames to a 2-1 defeat.

Belgium know that if Iceland fail to beat France and they emerge victorious from Sunday's encounter against Italy then they will progress to the quarter-finals.

However, a draw would complicate matters, with a goalless scoreline not enough for Belgium to progress, while a score draw would bring a number of permutations into play.

Italy Women Women's European Championship form:

Italy Women form (all competitions):

Belgium Women Women's European Championship form:

Belgium Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Lucia Di Guglielmo is expected to continue at right-back after coming into the Italy side for the draw against Iceland.

Barbara Bonansea and Cristiana Girelli came off the bench at half time on matchday two, and the pair could be presented with starting opportunities on Monday.

After scoring two goals in her last three international appearances, Bergamaschi will be one of Italy's main goal threats.

As for Belgium, they are unable to call upon Amber Tysiak, who will serve a one-match suspension after the second half substitute was sent off against France.

Despite losing narrowly on Thursday, Belgium are expected to name an unchanged side for the third consecutive game.

Sari Kees will be aiming to help her side end a seven-game run without a clean sheet when she partners Laura De Neeve in the centre of defence.

Italy Women possible starting lineup:

Giuliani; Di Guglielmo, Gama, Linari, Boattin; Bergamaschi, Simonetti, Rosucci, Bonansea; Girelli, Giacinti

Belgium Women possible starting lineup:

Evrard; Vangheluwe, Kees, De Neve, Philtjens; Vanhaevermaet, De Caigny, Biesmans; Dhont, Cayman, Wullaert

We say: Italy Women 2-1 Belgium Women

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