USA & Netherlands Favored to Advance to Women’s World Cup Final Ahead of Semifinals
- Women’s World Cup at semifinal stage
- USA favorites from the word go
- England a major threat
The Women’s World Cup has reached the semifinal stage, with the USA – ominously for the rest – flexing their muscles. Having cruised through the group stages with the minimum of fuss, they beat the home nation France in the last eight to set up a semifinal clash with England.
FIFA Women’s World Cup Odds
| Team | FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 Odds |
|---|---|
| USA | -180 |
| England | +350 |
| Netherlands | +500 |
| Sweden | +600 |
*All odds taken 07/01/19.
USA are now the odds-on favorite to retain their world title. They have always been favored to win the competition, but after their win over France their price has now shortened to odds-on territory. But can anyone cause an upset?
It’s England and the USA who kick the semis off tomorrow at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Décines-Charpieu, Lyon at 3:00 pm EST.
England vs USA WWC Semifinal Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total | Odds to Qualify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | +0.5 (+105) | +350 | O 2.5 (+110) | +185 |
| USA | -0.5 (-130) | -130 | U 2.5 (-145) | -250 |
| Draw | N/A | +265 | N/A | N/A |
The USA understandably start as strong favorites – just as they are favorites to retain their title – but Phil Neville’s England are not in France to make up the numbers. A two-year build-up to the tournament for the English went almost without a hitch, a couple of serious injuries aside, and they brought that confidence into the tournament and made light work of their group, with wins over Scotland, Argentina and Japan.
Drama in Valenciennes
But their last-16 tie with Cameroon will be one that will go down in World Cup folklore for all the wrong reasons. The English may have emerged with what appears a comfortable 3-0 win but that doesn’t tell half the story, with the Cameroonians twice threatening to walk off the pitch after being on the wrong end of VAR decisions.
“That wasn’t football” was Neville’s post-match description of a stormy evening in Valenciennes; one that left a stain on what had until that point been a largely controversy-free tournament.
Phil Neville Lambasts ‘Unacceptable’ Cameroon for Dirty Tactics in 3-0 Defeat to England Women pic.twitter.com/WyaszkVlGj
— Lantan Sport (@Lantansport) June 23, 2019
England’s reward was a quarterfinal against Norway and this time their 3-0 win was both deserved and without drama. At the heart of the English challenge is Lucy Bronze, an athletic, attacking full-back who is now considered one of the best players in the world.
Imperious USA
The USA’s route to the last eight has been equally as emphatic as England’s, with a 100-percent record in the group stages – which included a 13-0 win over Thailand – being followed up with a 2-1 win over Spain in the last-16, and then a really impressive 2-1 win in Paris over the hosts, France.
FT! USA 13-0 Thailand.
The biggest ever result in World Cup football.
? https://t.co/9oOq4PHnui#ChangeTheGame #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/IHvmu4xoXY
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 11, 2019
So, it will be a massive night in Lyon with the two in-form teams going head-to-head, with rumors of USA spies in the England camp only serving to ramp up the tension. The English will push them all the way but the USA are world champions for a reason, and that winning habit may just be decisive.
Our pick: USA
Netherlands vs Sweden WWC Semifinal Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total | Odds to Qualify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | -0.5 (+125) | +125 | O 2.5,(+115) | -155 |
| Sweden | +0.5 (-155) | +230 | U 2.5 (-150) | +110 |
| Draw | N/A | +215 | N/A | N/A |
The Netherlands and Sweden clash in the other semi in the same stadium 24 hours later on July 3, with both teams having exceeded their pre-tournament expectations – even though the Dutch came into it as European champions, having won the 2017 Euros on home soil.
Dutch Experience
The Dutch’s tournament experience has stood them in good stead and, like the Americans and the English, they emerged from the group stages with three wins from three.
A last-16 game against Japan was arguably the best game of the tournament so far, with the Dutch having to survive a real going over from the talented and lively Japanese, before a late goal sealed the deal.
Breaking: Netherlands Thrash Japan 2-1 https://t.co/mCAP7qFcve pic.twitter.com/DICGP0YU4V
— obiakojames (@obiakojames) June 25, 2019
Things were more straightforward in the quarterfinals when two headed goals from set-pieces saw them cruise through 2-0 to set up the semi with Sweden.
Shocking Swedes
The Swedes are arguably the surprise team of the semis, although it’s worth noting that the only game they have lost so far has been in their group against the USA – with wins over Chile and Thailand seeing them comfortably through.
A 1-0 win over Canada in the last-16 was sufficient to set up a daunting quarterfinal clash with Germany, but they produced the shock of the tournament so far to earn a narrow and thrilling 2-1 win.
Germany 1-2 Sweden: Swedes reach Women's World Cup semi-finals https://t.co/ndWmzK21hb pic.twitter.com/tU7AO8Dw4l
— SportsGridUK (@Sportsgriduk) June 29, 2019
And so Sweden go into the semi with momentum and confidence, and will cause the Dutch problems. But, the Dutch are great at tournament soccer and we feel this could be the deciding factor.
Our pick: Netherlands
The Final Countdown
On the basis we forecast a USA/Netherlands final, we can see it being a close one between two teams who are used to playing in finals. The occasion will not phase either, but we do think the USA’s mental strength may be vital.
Our pick: USA to win the World Cup
Once just a sports fanatic, fan-turned-writer Gary Gowers has been featured on European television and radio networks to discuss several professional football clubs. His work can be found in an assortment of publications like The Metro, MyFootballWriter.com, and BBC Radio Norfolk.
