The 2023 Women’s World Cup is underway! Hosted in Australia and New Zealand, the tournament features 32 of the best footballing nations in the world seeking glory. For every match day, Canada Sports Betting will break down the matches ahead, providing the key odds and storylines you need to make a play, courtesy of our friends at bet365.
Due to the unique schedule of the tournament, we’ll be looking one day forward at a time. Today we’ll be covering July 27th‘s fixtures. These include:
- Portugal vs. Vietnam, 3:30 a.m. ET
- Australia vs. Nigeria, 6:00 a.m. ET
- Argentina vs. South Africa, 8:00 p.m. ET
While you wait for the next match day, also consider checking out our Group Previews:
Group A – Group B – Group C – Group D – Group E – Group F – Group G – Group H
6:00 a.m. Headliner: Australia vs. Nigeria
| Australia Win in Full Time | -225 |
| Nigeria Win in Full Time | +700 |
| Draw After Full Time | +350 |
| Over/Under | 2.5 goals (over +110, under -143) |
| Time/Date | Thursday, July 27, 6:00 a.m. ET |
| TV | Broadcast: TSN Stream: TSN GO App |
In Group B co-hosts Australia can all but assure themselves of a spot in the Round of 16 with a win over Nigeria in their second match at the Women’s World Cup set for Lang Park in Brisbane, Australia.
A 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in their first outing secured a valuable three points, putting the Matildas atop the group standings. The Australians were largely stifled by an energetic and physical showing from the Irish, but found the needed breakthrough in the 52nd minute through Steph Catley from the penalty spot.
Nigeria drew 0-0 with Canada in their first match to pick up a single point. The Super Eagles played their way into the game against the Canadians, absorbing some pressure at first, needing their goalkeeper and captain Chiamaka Nnadozie to make a big save from the penalty spot, before imposing themselves more and more as half-time drew near. Nigeria were the more dangerous side in the second half.
Both sides will be somewhat pleased with those results – Australia more so than Nigeria – and both will be eager to position themselves to advance out of the group. That presents a conundrum: is it better to hold onto what they have or open up to get more, knowing the risk that comes.
Should they be conservative, a Correct Score of 0-0 at +750 catches the eye. There were no goals scored from open play in either tournament opener.
If the game opens up a little bit and either team takes the lead, one can be assured that the other will be desperate to get back level. A bet boosted Same Game Parlay of Match Result Draw or Nigeria, Asisat Oshoala to Score Anytime, Both Teams to Score – Yes at +1000 needs a lot to fall into place, but that risk is rewarded.
With Sam Kerr expected to miss out, Australia’s Caitlin Foord has the shortest odds amongst potential goalscorers (First +450, Last +450, Anytime +160) – Foord to score first is boosted to +500. Catley could add a second to her tally (+1000, +1000, +375), especially should Nigeria concede another penalty kick, while Kyah Simon (+500, +500, +175) scored both goals in the only previous meeting between the sides at the 2015 Women’s World Cup, won 2-0 by the Matildas. She was a substitute in Australia’s opener.
For Nigeria, Barcelona striker Oshoala (+1000, +1000, +375) looked dangerous against Canada, but more so at crafting chances for her teammates. Uchenna Kanu (+1400, +1400, +550), who was the beneficiary of one of those flicks was robbed by Canada’s Kailen Sheridan and the offside flag of a goal.
With both sides attacking and defending in equal measure, action at both ends can be expected. Both opening matches saw 13 corner kicks apiece, so with the Corners line set at nine, the over at +125 looks likely.
Australia to Win in Full Time
3:30 a.m. Match: Portugal vs. Vietnam
| Portugal Win in Full Time | -1000 |
| Vietnam Win in Full Time | +2000 |
| Draw After Full Time | +900 |
| Over/Under | 2.5 goals (over -175, under +135) |
| Time/Date | Thursday, July 27, 3:30 a.m. ET |
| TV | Broadcast: TSN Stream: TSN GO App |
For teams that lost their opening matches, the second game is make or break.
In Group E both Portugal and Vietnam were defeated in their Women’s World Cup debuts. Portugal were undone by a 13th-minute goal from Stefanie van der Gragt against the Netherlands in their opener, while Vietnam held the USA to just three goals in their match. Sophia Smith scored twice in the first half and Lindsey Horan added the third in the 77th minute.
A loss for either side combined with a winner in the upcoming match between the USA and the Netherlands would basically eliminate them from the competition. A result is needed, the single point from a draw is unlikely to be enough to keep hopes alive.
This one will be tense. That first goal will be precious, and though both sides conceded inside the opening quarter of an hour in their first matches, with the playing field more level in this one, expect a cagey start.
A Selecção das Quinas are heavy favourites against the Golden Star Women Warriors (Portugal Correct Score 4-0 +700) at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, but Vietnam will have taken some confidence out of putting in a strong outing against the reigning world champs, limiting the USA to three goals.
The Half Time/Full Time numbers offer some decent value: Draw – Portugal at +250 and, with the Philippines’ upset win over Switzerland in mind, Draw – Vietnam at +4000.
Portugal’s Jessica Silva tops the Goalscorer odds (First +333, Last +333, Anytime -120) – First Goalscorer is bet boosted to +350, her strike partner Diana Silva (+375, +375, -105) is similarly positioned. For Vietnam Hai Yen Pham (+2800, +2800, +900) and Nhu Huynh (+2800, +2800, +900) are joint most likely.
A Same Game Parlay of Match Result Portugal, Jessica Silva to Score Anytime, Both Teams to Score – Yes with the Bet Boost sits at +550.
Portugal to Win in Full Time
8:00 p.m. Match: Argentina vs. South Africa
| Argentina Win in Full Time | +100 |
| South Africa Win in Full Time | +300 |
| Draw After Full Time | +220 |
| Over/Under | 2.5 goals (over +150, under -200) |
| Time/Date | Thursday, July 27, 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Broadcast: TSN Stream: TSN GO App |
Over in Group G, two more teams will be looking to stave off possible elimination in their second group-stage matches.
After going toe-to-toe for much of the game, Argentina lost 1-0 to Italy in their World Cup opener with an 87th-minute header from Cristiana Girelli to deciding factor. South Africa, too, gave their opponent a match, taking the lead against Sweden at the start of the second half through Hildah Magaia, bundling in the rebound from a Thembi Kgatlana shot, only for a pair of wide deliveries – a cross onto the boot of Fridolina Rolfö in the 65th minute and a corner kick onto the head of Amanda Ilestedt in the 90th minute – to prove their undoing.
Both teams will feel hard done by with those opening results, especially South Africa, who through 20 matches are the only team to score in a losing effort. But how that impacts their meeting at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand, is tricky to forecast.
La Albiceleste’s match against Italy was a tight affair, both teams combined for 15 shots, just five on goal. Banyana Banyana’s against Sweden was a more open contest with 25 shots, 10 on goal. Both were stung late by playing their game: Argentina by putting defence first, South Africa by not shutting up shop with the lead.
The line for this one is close with Argentina only slight favourites. A score draw – the first of the Women’s World Cup – offers some value with Result/Both Teams to Score – Draw/Yes at +400.
Argentina’s Paulina Gramaglia (First +375, Last +375, Anytime +140) is the first name on the Goalscorer list, while her teammate Mariana Larroquette (+600, +600, +240) has a Bet Boost for First Goalscorer at +650. For South Africa, Jermaine Seoposenwe (+600, +600, +240) was a threat against the Swedes, while Magaia (+650, +650, +260) has already scored.
There are some interesting Same Game Parlays going each way: Match Result Argentina, Larroquette to Score Anytime, Over 2 Goals (+600), and Match Result South Africa, Seoposenwe to Score Anytime, Both Teams to Score Yes (+1600).
