The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is off to a great start. The tournament has already seen some surprises, including some top teams disappointing and some big scorelines.
The United States remain the Women’s World Cup favorites at odds of +225. Spain and England are right on the Americans’ tails, however. The tournament is now in the second match day of the group stage.
On Wednesday, the United States will clash with the Netherlands, as the team attempts to lay down a marker for the title. The Dutch were beaten by the Americans in the final of the 2019 Women’s World Cup. Can the Oranje get revenge?
Elsewhere, England will play on Thursday against Denmark. The Danes are aiming to knock off the reigning European Champions. Let’s look at the games for July 27 and 28.
2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup betting odds
Before we get to the picks for Wednesday and Thursday, let’s look at the updated outright winner odds for the tournament. The USWNT is top of the odds at +225. Spain is +350, while England is +400. The trio lead the odds, but based on the opening set of group matches, there could be an outsider to back.
2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup picks
USWNT vs Netherlands – July 27, 2023
On Thursday, the USWNT will play the Netherlands in Wellington. Due to the time difference, the match will kick off on Wednesday night in North America.
The USWNT won its opening game against Vietnam 3-0. The game’s outcome was never up for debate. Rather, the final score was what most people wondered about. The USWNT should have scored more but couldn’t make the most of 27 shots. Just seven shots were on goal. The Yanks have to get better in the final third to win this tournament.
What doesn’t need to improve is the team’s defense. The USWNT didn’t concede a shot by Vietnam and only allowed its opponents to have 34% possession.
The Netherlands eked out a 1-0 win against Portugal. The Oranje’s defense was on point, conceding just two shots and one on-target to Portugal. The Dutch dominated the game, with 57% possession and 12 shots (five on target). However, the game was close and there was a feeling that Portugal could equalize at some point during the second half.
The USWNT and Netherlands have played five times previously. The Americans won all five games, including the final of the 2019 Women’s World Cup. In the five matches, the USWNT outscored the Dutch 16-6.
The Dutch will be desperate to defeat the USWNT. But the Americans are just too strong. This should finish as a win for the Americans, with over 1.5 goals. Despite the teams’ goalscoring abilities, this may not see too many goals.
Result: USWNT to win, over 1.5 goals
England vs Denmark – July 28, 2023
England goes into Friday’s match against Denmark on a poor run of form. The Lionesses scored just one goal in their last four matches. That goal came against Haiti in a 1-0 win in England’s opening Group D game. Georgia Stanaway’s first-half penalty was just enough to win.
If England wants to win the Women’s World Cup, they must play better despite the injuries affecting the squad. England posted 21 shots with 11 on target against Haiti. The team had chances but couldn’t put them away. England also dominated possession, with 75%.
Denmark needed an 89th-minute goal to defeat China to open the tournament. It wasn’t a great match for the Danes, as they tallied two shots on target and 56% possession. The match could have gone either way, but Denmark got the late winner.
England and Denmark played three times previously, with the former winning two and the latter once. All three previous games saw over 1.5 goals.
Based on the low-scoring nature of both teams’ opening games, this should be a low-scoring match. England may struggle to get the win, but should at least pick up a draw.
Result: England wins or draw; under 2.5 goals
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