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Tag: Lionesses

  • FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 | Knockout stage preview

    The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 has already provided its fair share of thrills and spills.

    The ongoing Sam Kerr injury story has been a theme throughout; with the likes of Jamaica, Colombia and South Africa causing a splash by reaching the last 16.

    So what do the knockout stages have in store for us? Can Australia go all the way on home turf? Can the USA buck up their ideas and win another world title? Or can Sarina Wiegman guide England to glory?

    Best Of Bets previews the last 16 here…

    Women’s World Cup group stage summary

    Some heavyweight big-hitters of the women’s game seriously underwhelmed in the group stages. But you wonder if they were simply getting revved up for the serious business ahead.

    Norway have been in virtual disarray ever since touching down in Australia and New Zealand. They were deservedly beaten by the Football Ferns in the tournament’s opening match, only pulling things out of the bag with a 6-0 destruction of the Philippines in their final game, to squeeze through.

    Don’t write them off, though. If they get Ada Hegeberg back from injury, they can be a force. Caroline Graham Hansen and Guro Reiten are hitting form at the right time too.

    USA’s World Cup of struggles

    The USA are another side who have been puzzlingly below par – so far. Their own legend, two-time World Cup winner Carli Lloyd, has led the criticism of the USWNT, dubbing them “too predictable” and that has gone down like a lead balloon in the camp.

    But all that matters is the States got through with five points, albeit the two draws have prompted many to change their pre-tournament predictions. Winning a third straight World Cup looks unlikely.

    England also underwhelmed in their opening two matches, edging past both Denmark and Haiti 1-0, coming perilously close to drawing both games by conceding late chances.

    A change of formation and the rampant form of Lauren James, however, have shifted the mood for the Lionesses. Their 6-1 defeat of China to close the group stage campaign was a serious morale-booster.

    Yet the main winners from an exciting group stage were Sweden and Japan.

    Neither were fancied too much going into the tournament, but both enter the last 16 with perfect records so far – England are the only other side to do that.

    Amanda Ilestedt is providing the goals for the Swedes, while Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa is the early Golden Boot pace-setter.

    Latest Women’s World Cup betting odds

    It’s no surprise that Miyazawa is the favourite now to grab the Golden Boot, at 7/2, ahead England star James who is 4/1 to be the top scorer at the tournament.

    As for the outright tournament, the United States have slipped from their pre-tournament position atop the favourites list. They’re now out at 9/2 – joint second favourites with Spain – with England installed at 7/2 going into the knockout stages.

    With two-time winners Germany now out, the value bets are Japan at 8/1 and either the Netherlands or France who are both 11/1. They could all get reasonably favourable routes to the final. Les Bleues, in particular, are a good chance after finishing their group stage campaign with a stylish 6-3 win over Panama.

  • FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 | Main contenders latest odds

     

    The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is now well into its stride.

    Every team has played at least one match, so we’ve had the chance to assess the main runners and riders, and who is most likely to take the crown in Australia and New Zealand.

    BestofBets reviews the contenders’ opening salvos…

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    USA – 5/2

    A comfortable 3-0 win over Vietnam in their opening Group E match has done little to dampen the noise around the USWNT at this tournament.

    Sophia Smith struck twice in that match, with Alex Morgan enduring mixed fortunes after providing an assist but seeing her penalty saved.

    They should top their group, however tougher games against Portugal and the Netherlands are to come.

    Can they claim an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup title? There’s a lot of competition, but the USA will take some beating.

    Spain – 7/2

    Spain have never won a Women’s World Cup before; they’ve never even progressed beyond the last 16.

    This year, it will surely be different. They boast a side packed with technical quality, who dominated from start to finish in their opening 3-0 win over Costa Rica.

    Whether the Spaniards cope with the pressure at the tournament’s sharp end, however, is the big question.

    But with two-time Ballon D’Or winner Alexia Putellas coming back from injury at the right time, the Iberians can’t be overlooked.

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    Germany – 6/1

    While some of the other fancied nations laboured in their opening games, Germany put down a real marker with a 6-0 destruction of Morocco.

    Once again, they were inspired by the effervescent Alexandra Popp, as she bagged a brace en route to the simplest of opening victories – which has tongues wagging about the prospect of a first German Women’s World Cup triumph since 2007.

    The No.2 ranked side in the world aren’t here to mess about; they mean business.

     

    England – 6/1

    The Lionesses were many people’s favourites to claim a first-ever world title before the tournament began – second in the outright tournament odds.

    But their unconvincing 1-0 victory over Haiti has created some unwanted questions for Sarina Wiegman.

    Georgia Stanway’s penalty got the job done and Mary Earps spared her teammates with a big save late on but England must improve against Denmark.

    Wiegman must decide whether to start Rachel Daly up front, rather than Alessia Russo.

    If she finds the right balance, the Lionesses are still a decent chance of going deep in the tournament.

    Other Women’s World Cup 2023 contenders

    Host nation Australia are a 10/1 shot – their hopes undoubtedly hinge on whether Sam Kerr can return from injury to star in the knockout stages.

    Narrowly overcoming the Republic of Ireland, the Matildas will need to be better against Nigeria.

    Norway were much fancied pre-tournament, but now face a scrap to qualify for the last 16 after a draw and a loss in their first two games.

    Without a single goal, the Viking nation are now a whopping 150/1 to win the whole thing.

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    There might be some value in Sweden at 20/1.

    Yes, they needed an added time winner from Amanda Ilestedt to beat South Africa 2-1, but they look a slick and well-oiled machine and have a favourable group.

    Finally, Brazil are surprisingly long odds at 14/1 despite an authoritative 4-0 opening win over Panama.

    Ary Borges netted a hat-trick and looks the real deal, while Marta remains an important figure.

  • FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 | Bright leads Lionesses with weighty boots to fill

     

    On the face of it, Millie Bright looks on a mission. A mission of redemption toward FIFA Women’s World Cup glory.

    As England begin their quest in Australia and New Zealand on Saturday, hopes are high both home and abroad.

    Twelve months on from being crowned European champions at Wembley, the Lionesses take the roar Down Under.

    Set to stand-in for the injured Leah Williamson, can Bright inspire her side to World Cup glory?

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    World Cup woe

    Before the Lionesses became a truly elite force in the women’s game, their journey was laced with heartache.

    Winding back the clock four years ago to the last World Cup in France, it was Bright who suffered semi-final ignominy.

    Sent off against the United States, the Lionesses fell short of the final against the eventual victors – who themselves seek history with the Three-peat in 2023.

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    Though a bitter pill for the defender, the experience was evidently character-building.

    Centre-back partner to Williamson last summer, Bright was an essential cog in Sarina Wiegman’s victorious squad.

    Now with her own shot at leading her country into battle, Bright is built for the big stage.

     

    A late recruit

    A World Cup is the pinnacle for any player, be it the men’s or women’s game.

    However, football was not always the Bright path.

    Indeed, growing up in the Derbyshire countryside, Bright was more familiar with the leather of a horse’s saddle than a football.

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    Switching her literal goals at nine-years-old, Bright was scouted by Sheffield United and moved to Doncaster Belles at 16.

    Having made the to switch Chelsea in 2015, three league titles followed – including the WSL this season. The captain’s armband was then a formality.

     

    Boots to fill

    Losing skipper Williamson to an ACL injury is a huge blow to England, but Bright can be an able deputy.

    Stepping in for her stricken teammate is a tall task, but surrounded by the wealth of talent that England possess, the European champions are well-set.

    A fulcrum of the international picture since 2016, the Chesterfield native has proved her leadership skills in qualifying for this stage; now it’s for real.

    Whilst the group stages should be a mere exercise in qualification for England, as the knockouts rolls on, Bright’s captaincy may then be tested.

    For a need to avoid a pun, the Lionesses’ prospects this summer/winter in Australia and New Zealand, are gleaming.

     

    The Lionesses are 4/1 with 888sport to win the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.