The 2023 Women’s World Cup continues on Thursday morning with three games across Groups B, E and G. For now, we will be giving our best Women’s World Cup bets and predictions for both Portugal-Vietnam and Australia-Nigeria. Portugal-Vietnam is a match to keep your eye on, as both teams are vying for survival in Group E. A win for either side, before their second dates with superior opponents, would at least give them a glimmer of hope on the final matchday.
Conversely, Australia could all but clinch their trip to the knockouts with a win over Nigeria in Group B. Because Canada has already slipped, a win or draw for Nigeria would put them in stellar position ahead of their final match versus Ireland. The final match of the morning features Argentina-South Africa, who are both winless in Group G.
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Women’s World Cup Odds: Portugal-Vietnam Odds
| Portugal Moneyline | -900 |
| Vietnam Moneyline | +2,200 |
| Draw Moneyline | +700 |
| Over/Under 3.5 Total Goals | Over: +130, Under: -180 |
| Location | FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand |
| Time | 3:30 a.m. ET |
| TV | FOX/Universo |
Portugal-Vietnam Prediction
Portugal’s first Women’s World Cup game did not go exactly to plan. Francisco Neto’s side knew that they probably needed some sort of result against the Netherlands if they wanted to make the knockouts. Considering they have to play the United States on the final day, it was undeniably the fixture to focus on. However, a back-post header from Dutch defender Stefanie van der Gragt broke the deadlock within the first fifteen minutes and that ultimately decided the 1-0 tie.
Now, the Selecção das Quinas’ path becomes much more challenging. If they want to keep that path open, they absolutely need a win against Vietnam. The Asian side lost their first match 3-0 to the USWNT in what could have resulted in a much loftier deficit. Goalkeeper Thi Kim Thanh Tran was busy in her box, faced 28 shots and even saved an Alex Morgan penalty kick. Going forward, Vietnam did not shoot the ball once and only had 18 touches in their attacking third. While Portugal are surely a step back from the two-time defending champions, I would not suddenly expect Vietnam’s resistance to pushing forward to suddenly change. What we can assume is the fact they will play physically and probably foul Portugal a lot in hopes to break up their rhythm of play.
In turn, I am favoring under 2.5 total goals here, which sits at +135. I am confident Vietnam will not score, and this play has hit in five out of the last seven matches for Portugal. Additionally, picking the first half to be the highest scoring half is a good play, especially at +195. In Portugal’s last ten games, 61% of the total goals have been scored in the first half. On top of that, it is much easier to see Vietnam conceding early and seeing the game out cleanly, much like they did to the USWNT.
Final Portugal-Vietnam Prediction: Under 2.5 total goals (+135, DraftKings)
1st half to be highest scoring (+195, DraftKings)
Women’s World Cup Odds: Australia-Nigeria Odds
| Australia Moneyline | -260 |
| Nigeria Moneyline | +700 |
| Draw Moneyline | +350 |
| Over/Under 2.5 Total Goals | Over: +100, Under: -140 |
| Location | Suncorp Stadium, Milton, Australia |
| Time | 6:00 a.m. ET |
| TV | FOX/Telemundo |
Australia-Nigeria Prediction
Australia are on the verge of winning their fourth consecutive Women’s World Cup match. The hosts are flying after their 1-0 victory over Ireland, and are on a run of fine form having won nine from their last ten. Over that same span, they have outscored their opponents by a combined scoreline of 23-4.
However, not all is good in the land Down Under. Their star player, and face of the tournament, Sam Kerr, is still sidelined by a calf injury which she sustained on the night before the tournament. All around, Kerr is one of the best players in the Women’s game and is a massive knock to the Aussie attack. For reference, the Chelsea striker has 13 goals in her last 14 appearances for Australia; scoring a goal every 78 minutes in that span. Her output and influence on this team is virtually irreplaceable and we already saw how this affects Australia in their first group stage match.
Outside of Australia’s lone goal from the penalty spot, they did not produce a ton of quality offense. Mary Fowler and Caitlin Foord served as the two strikers up top, and while they produced five combined shots, only one was on target, accounting for just 0.3 of an expected goal.
Moreover, Nigeria are also not the most progressive team going forward. In their last nine games, seven stayed under the 2.5 total goal mark, which leads us into our first prediction. We are riding the under again, this time with juicier odds of -140; you can probably shop this around though. In similar fashion, we are also adding an Australia clean sheet at -135.
Final Australia-Nigeria Prediction: Under 2.5 goals (-140, DraftKings)
Australia clean sheet (-135, DraftKings)
