Thursday Football Tips: Get with Norway's deadly duo

Norway Women v Northern Ireland Women
Thursday 7 July, 20:00
Live on BBC One

Given the rising standards in the women's game, the chances of blow-out wins are lessening as tournaments go by.

Yet if there's to be a big win at the 2022 Women's Euro then there's every chance if comes in a game involving Northern Ireland, who are lowest-ranked team in the tournament - they sit 47th in the FIFA rankings with the next lowest being Portugal in 30th.

Kenny Shiels' side will face England in Group A but their opening clash with Norway looks a tough opener which could really bring home the reality of tournament football.

The two sides were in the same qualifying group and the Norwegians recorded a pair of 6-0 wins.

While that was back in 2019, it's notable that in the ongoing World Cup qualifying campaign, Northern Ireland have already lost 4-0 and 5-0 to England.

In short, a few Norway goals can be expected here and if that happens then Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen will likely be involved.

Hegerberg is back in the Norway fold after self-imposed exile and that's great news for her country.

The Lyon striker is the all-time Champions League top scorer, her goals helping the French club to the crown in May.

This will be her fifth game back for Norway and she's scored four goals since returning, including a hat-trick in the 5-1 win over Kosovo.

Put her down for at least one goal.

Hansen is also included in our Bet Builder.

She scored five of those 12 goals Norway netted against Northern Ireland during qualification and while there was no Hegerberg in those sides, she'll doubtless be confident of finding the target, especially after scoring five times in her six World Cup qualifiers.

Hansen will also act as a supply line for fellow forward Hegerberg. She likes to operate in wide areas and with that in mind, also looks worth backing for an assist.

She has three assists in that WCQ campaign and added another in a warm-up game against Denmark last week.

The 27-year-old was one of the stars of the Barcelona team which impressed hugely in 2021/22 and after assisting in six of her last 11 internationals, a Hansen assist completes our Bet Builder.

It tops out at just under 9/2.

Read Abigail Davies' in-depth preview of Norway v Northern Ireland!