Women’s World Cup Favorites USA & France to Meet in Quarterfinal Round

• The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup is down to the final eight teams who have reached the quarterfinals, beginning on Thursday, June 27, 2019
• In what could be the match of the tournament, defending champs USA will face host nation France on Friday night
• We take a look at the updated odds ahead of the quarterfinal round

The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup is down to the final eight countries competing to lift the trophy. Seven of the eight are from UEFA, a record for one confederation at a Women’s World Cup.

Each of the top four seeds in the world have reached the quarterfinal stage, and seven of the remaining eight are ranked inside the top 12. The 15th ranked Italians are the lowest ranked remaining team, with Norway the next at 12th.

Having been tournament favorites all throughout the competition, USA remain the bookies’ top choice at odds of +120.

2019 Women’s World Cup Odds

*Odds taken June 26, 2019

That status will be put the test come Friday night though, when USA face host nation France at 3:00 pm EST on Friday, June 28, 2019 at Parc des Princes, the home of PSG.

One Favorite Will Be Heading Home

To anyone following this tournament, a USA/France quarterfinal matchup always looked to be in the future. With both sides finishing tops in their respective groups and each advancing through the round of 16 (albeit just), the match has become a reality.

Tickets were sold out immediately, meaning the FIFA Fan Zone at Jardin Nelson Mandela will surely be packed for the watch party as well.

Spain played the USA tough and kept Alex Morgan off the scoresheet. Morgan hasn’t scored since the first match of the tournament when she had five. In fact, Spain were able to completely stop the US from scoring in the run of play, but were undone by two penalties.

The Americans scored early in the 7′ minute through a Megan Rapinoe penalty, only to see Spain respond two minutes later from a poor US giveaway. The game would remain tied until a second US penalty, also scored by Rapinoe, in the 76′ minute.

France find themselves in the quarters by virtue of a 106′ minute winning goal over Brazil in the round of 16. After opening the scoring in the 52′ minute, Brazil drew things even at the 63′ minute mark.

While Brazil put eight shots on target compared to France’s three, it was French captain Amandine Henry who put home the winner for Les Bleues.

USA vs France WWC Stats

In a match fit to be a final, one of the top two betting favorites will be sent packing, meaning major implications for not only the outright futures market, but also for the goalscoring race, which could see current co-leader Morgan sent home early should France win.

These teams last met in January in a friendly where France won 3-1. In the 2018 SheBelieves Cup the two drew 1-1, and in the 2017 SheBelieves Cup France won 3-0.

??? Valerie Gauvin's last nine games for France…

– Goals: 7

– Wins: 8

– Age: 23

France Women's team has got a quality striker for the future!#FRABRA pic.twitter.com/3qXRq2sAqz

— Football Fact (@FootbaIlFact) June 23, 2019

The under 2.5 goals bet is the favored outcome, currently paying out at -145. While it won’t return a huge payout, I see a close match which could be decided by the slightest of margins.

This one could go either way, but I’ll give the slightest of edges to the home team. France are currently +110 to advance to the semis, while USA are -140.

While the USA and France will take center stage Friday, the quarterfinal round actually begins on Thursday between Norway and England.

The Norwegians defeated Australia in penalties on Saturday, while England were 3-0 winners over Cameroon on Sunday. England’s Ellen White, is third overall in tournament scoring with four goals. That puts her just one behind USA’s Alex Morgan and Australia’s Sam Kerr in the Golden Boot race.

? We said goodbye to eight #FIFAWWC teams in the Round of 16

? They left us with many special memories#FIFAWWC | #DareToShine
TV listings ? https://t.co/t64sDOEs52 pic.twitter.com/uHTeKPqURO

— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 26, 2019

Who Emerges From the Other Half?

The first matchup on the other side of the bracket features Italy versus the Netherlands taking place at 9:00 am EST on Saturday, June 29, 2019.

China had reached the round of 16 by only scoring and allowing one goal through the group stage, however, Italy started strong and put China on the back foot early through a Valentina Giacinti 15′ minute goal. Italy would add another early in the second half, and despite holding just 37-percent of possession, emerged victorious 2-0.

The Netherlands have scored in each of their four matches and have scored multiple goals in three of four. Though that trend continued with an early Lieke Martens goal at 17 minutes in, Japan drew even right before half. It was the Japanese who looked better and who looked like they may escape with the win late on, hitting the crossbar and creating several dangerous chances.

While Netherlands have scored in all four matches, they’ve also conceded in all but one.

However, Martens would strike again, this time from the penalty spot at the 90′ minute mark.

While Netherlands have scored in all four matches, they’ve also conceded in all but one. I can see some goals in this quarterfinal match and would look to a ‘both teams to score’ bet.

WHAT. A. GOAL! ??

Lieke Martens' backheel flick nutmegs a defender on the way in for the 1-0 lead. #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/ODGAxrvzAj

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 25, 2019

That leaves us with the final quarterfinal, featuring Germany and Sweden. The Germans have still yet to concede a goal, and were easy 3-0 winners over Nigeria in the round of 16. They’ve done so without the services of one of their best players, Dzsenifer Marozsán, who’s been injured with a broken toe.

Germany and #OlympiqueLyon star #DzseniferMarozsan is set to make a return to #FIFAWWC action in Saturday's last-eight clash with Sweden after missing three games with a broken toe, coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg said Tuesday.https://t.co/XuaSRTuj3J

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) June 25, 2019

They’ll face Sweden who topped Canada 1-0 through a Stina Blackstenius 55′ minute goal. The goal was all Sweden would need, as Canada missed a golden opportunity to draw even when Swedish keeper Hedvig Lindahl stopped Janine Beckie’s penalty attempt.

Germany has won 8/10 of the previous meetings with Sweden.

SWEDEN TAKE THE LEAD! ??

Blackstenius beats Labbé to Asllani's cross and puts it in for her first #FIFAWWC goal. pic.twitter.com/oq0yHXTCZs

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 24, 2019

Is There Still Betting Value in the WWC?

I’ve been saying it from the start of the tournament, that while France and USA are the obvious favorites, the better value has to come from the other side of the bracket on a team like Netherlands or Germany. One or both will find themselves in the semis.

After looking vulnerable against Japan, I’ll give the edge to Germany. But the way Italy has played, 20-1 odds could be worth a flyer.