Join us as we cover this weekend’s playoff soccer fixtures for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Continue reading our betting previews and FIFA odds from the Women’s World Cup 2023 weekend fixtures involving Japan vs. Norway and Sweden vs. USA.
Best Women’s World Cup Bets
Japan vs. Norway
Saturday, August 05, 2023 – 04:00 AM EDT at Wellington Regional Stadium
Japan
Life down under started with a 5-0 dismantling of Zambia for Japan, a game that saw the favorites maintain a 60% possession and 25 shots as their African opponents failed to land a single attempt on target.
This success was followed by a domineering 2-0 victory against Costa Rica, and the highlight of the group stage for the Japanese was a 4-0 win over Group A favorites, Spain. Despite owning a mere 22% possession versus La Roja, Japan played a smart chess game of strong defense and counterattacking, and this result put them through to the Round of 16 with 11 goals and three consecutive win streaks.
Norway
While the Norwegians have reached the 2023 World Cup playoffs, their journey to this stage of the tournament could be viewed as fortunate. They’ve been inconsistent throughout, with one win, one loss, and one draw, and were lucky enough to advance ahead of tournament hosts New Zealand on goal difference.
Norway has failed to surpass the World Cup round of 16 in three consecutive editions of the competition, and as their eight previous meetings with Japan have resulted in five losses, it doesn’t look likely that they’ll buck this trend.
Round of 16 Prediction, Odds, & Trends
The Women’s World Cup odds slightly favor Japan, and rightfully so. They didn’t enter the competition excellently, but they’ve silenced their critics since.
Norway has won just 1 of their last 6 meetings with Japan and has conceded 14 goals during this stretch. Form, trajectory, and attacking prowess all side with Seiki Ichihara’s squad, and a moneyline price of -125 holds more than enough value to take a chance on Nadeshiko Japan.
Score Prediction: Japan 2 – Norway 0
Supporting Trends
- Japan owns a 100%-win record at the 2023 World Cup so far.
- Norway has won just 1 of their 3 games at the 2023 World Cup.
- Japan defeated a top-ranked Spain squad 4-0 last time out.
Soccer Pick: Japan ML (-125) at Bet365
Sweden vs. USA
Sunday, August 06, 2023 – 05:00 AM EDT at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
Sweden
Sweden entered the 2023 World Cup competition with a squad brimming with experience and talent, including players that participated in last summer’s Euro 2022 semifinal appearance and the Tokyo Olympics final in 2021.
This team has performed like a cup-winning team thus far, and they notably rested key players in their final Group G meeting while still obtaining a comfortable win. With a 2-0 and 5-0 winning scoreline over Argentina and Italy, respectively, I don’t believe this experienced unit will fear the reputation of America and could easily eliminate the reigning World Cup champions this weekend.
USA
It might have been a different story for USWNT if they entered the 2023 World Cup with familiar names and no injuries. Unfortunately, this has affected this group, and they’ve barely reached the round of 16 after back-to-back draws and just one goal netted in those games.
The US defense has been the only position worthy of being labeled a World Cup contender. And with so many key players absent from this squad, a lack of experience has taken its toll on a team that is now expected to crash out of the playoffs, let alone defend their title successfully.
Round of 16 Prediction, Odds, & Trends
Unsurprisingly, the women’s World Cup moneyline is siding with the 2015 and 2019 World Cup champions. However, top online sportsbooks are certainly overlooking Sweden’s potential in Saturday’s game.
Results, experience, trust on the bench, and current form all side with Sweden in their round of 16 clash with USWNT. Believe it or not, they’ll enter this fixture as a significant betting underdog, and as sportsbooks are still placing faith in a US women’s squad that doesn’t have the experience of their World Cup-winning teams of the past.
Take the Sweden +1 handicap, resulting in a winning ticket even if the US defense can stand strong.
Score Prediction: Sweden 1 – USA 0
Supporting Trends
- Sweden won all 3 of their World Cup 2023 group-stage games.
- The USA won just 1 of their 3 group-stage games.
- The USA managed to score just two goals in their last 2 World Cup fixtures.
Soccer Pick: Sweden +1 (-150) at Bet365
Extra Women’s World Cup Best Bets
Round of 16 – Saturday, August 05
- Spain -1 (+105) at Bet365
Round of 16 – Saturday, August 05
- Netherlands -1 (-150) at Bet365
