USA Shortens to +150 Favorites to Win Women’s World Cup Ahead of Round of 16

• The FIFA Women’s World Cup continues in the round of 16 on Saturday, June 22, 2019
• The USWNT have sailed through the group stage with a perfect 3-0-0 record
• Which teams have the best path to the final on July 7, 2019?

The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup has now reached the knockout stages of the tournament. Group stage matches wrapped up on Thursday night with the final 16 sides set to begin play on Saturday.

Each of the world’s top ten teams have advanced to the next round, including USA. Odds on the USWNT have shortened from +300 prior to the tournament to +150 heading into the round of 16.

2019 Women’s World Cup Odds

*Odds taken June 21, 2019

The Americans were the top favorites to win their group and the World Cup heading into the competition. After three games which have seen them go 3-0-0 with a goal-differential of 18-0, they’ve done nothing to lose that favorite status. Though 13 of those golas came in an opening match thrashing of Thailand. 3-0 and 2-0 wins over Chile and Sweden were much closer.

The competition should increase in the knockout rounds. Though against Spain, a team who scored just three times in the group stage and all in a 3-1 win over South Africa, that challenge is unlikely to come until the quarterfinals.

The #USWNT was unstoppable in the group stage. pic.twitter.com/uR0QGJMwDw

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 20, 2019

USA expect to run deep into the tournament and are full of confidence after the group stage of trying to defend their title. Their confidence is so high they’ve openly proclaimed to have the “best team and second best team in the world” and also that they have “two starting lineups”.

Will Hosts France End USA’s Run?

USA and France seem destined to meet in the quarterfinal round, though France will need to get past Brazil first.

France is solid, however, didn’t overly impress in the group stage. An opening 4-0 win over Korea was strong, but they needed a 72′ minute penalty to defeat Norway 2-1 and a controversial VAR decision to attempt and score a second penalty to beat Nigeria late 1-0.

Group Stage Surprises

Not a whole lot was expected from the Italians who had not been to the tournament in 20 years. However, Italy managed to upset the Group C projections by finishing first above Australia, Brazil and Jamaica.

While I predicted the upstart Italians to move on with a second place group finish, they were even more impressive by finishing first. The Brazilians and all-time World Cup scorer Marta, could only finish third and will likely provide a tougher test in the round of 16 than the first place France team would have liked.

we’ve officially got a bracket ‼️
download it, print it and let’s do this.#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/fgmQZ6N0TN

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 20, 2019

Golden Boot Race Heats Up

After exploding for five goals in her opening match, Alex Morgan has yet to add to her tally. However, those five goals still hold up for a joint-lead in the Golden Boot race.

Australia’s Sam Kerr has five of her own and was also considered a strong candidate behind Morgan to win top scorer prior to the tournament.

Alex Morgan and Sam Kerr lead the way. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/5EbmBUb5Ad

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 21, 2019

They’ll both be playing on the same side of the bracket with Australia needing to advance past Norway and likely England. That would set up a possible showdown with France or USA in the semifinals. If the Matildas can reach the semis, it will at least guarantee Kerr getting an extra seventh match.

Morgan is currently offered at -185 to be top scorer, while Kerr is +250.

Morgan’s fitness also need to be monitored after being subbed off at half against Sweden after sustaining a knock.

Morgan is currently offered at -185 to be top scorer, while Kerr is +250.

USA Still the Bet

The Americans have such a superior squad that Alex Morgan didn’t even play in USA’s second match against Chile. It didn’t matter since Carli Lloyd got the start and scored two of her own in a 3-0 win. There’s no reason not to think the Americans can win this.

However, I still believe the best value exists with either Germany (+650) or Netherlands (+1200). The Germans are the only team outside of USA to have not allowed a goal in the group stage.

4 – Four of the Netherlands' eight goals scored at the Women's World Cup have been headers. Rise. #FIFAWWC #NEDCAN pic.twitter.com/d89IOYf9DH

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 20, 2019

If Netherlands can advance past Japan, they’ll be favored over either of Italy or China to reach the semis. In Vivianne Miedema, Lieke Martens and Daniëlle van de Donk they have plenty of offense. The Dutch have also yet to trail in any game.