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Women's World Cup Daily Betting Preview: Lionesses ready to roar

England Women have become accustomed to huge matches but they don't come much bigger than the World Cup final.

The Lionesses have conquered Europe and they are now just 90 minutes away from ruling the world, and it is difficult to see them being denied.

Sarina Wiegman knows what it takes to go all the way having reached every major final in the women's game and so too now do her side, who face Spain in Sunday's decider.

Having seen off co-hosts Australia, who were backed by a huge crowd in Sydney, in the semi-finals, England should be full of confidence that they can finish the job and make history by lifting the World Cup trophy.

WhatSpain Women v England Women
WhereStadium Australia, Sydney, Australia
When11.00am, Sunday 20th August 2023
How to watchBBC and ITV
OddsSpain Women 7/4, Draw 2/1, England Women 9/5


Spain flying in face of adversity

Spain entered the tournament amid a whirlwind of turmoil after most of the squad fell out with head coach Jorge Vilda with regards to his abilities and his coaching methods.

Having patched things up on the eve of the finals, Spain have done remarkably well to reach the final. 

A good start helped as Costa Rica and Zambia were brushed aside but there were worrying signs with a 4-0 defeat to Japan in the group stage.

However, a thumping 5-1 win over Switzerland in the last 16 got them firmly back on track, although their nervy extra-time victory in the quarter-finals against the Netherlands suggested not all of their vulnerabilities had totally disappeared.

La Roja, though, have bagged 17 goals in the competition and will be buoyed by their semi-final victory over a good Sweden side who contributed to the demise of holders and tournament favourites, the USA.

Spain have played some lovely flowing football on their way to the biggest game in their careers but, despite that, the undercurrent of disharmony and lack of unity may prove their undoing if the going gets tough in Sydney.
 

Togetherness key for European champions

A lack of unity is not something you can throw at England who have thrived since Sarina Wiegman took over, with last summer's European Championship triumph a success built totally on team spirit.

The Lionesses have had to dig deep Down Under with skipper Leah Williamson on the sidelines along with fellow star Beth Mead.

However, their absences have allowed others to shine with Lauren James, Ella Toone and Lauren Hemp stepping up at crucial times. 

James let herself down with her red card in the last-16 win over Nigeria but her likely return off the bench in the final could see her determined to make up for her error.

Alessio Russo has scored vital goals at crucial times, while the defence has looked solid with Millie Bright, Alex Greenwood and Jess Carter a formidable trio at the back.

England beat Spain on penalties in last summer's Euros after a 1-1 draw in their quarter-final clash and they will be confident of getting the job done a bit quicker this time and the 9/5 about a Lionesses win looks decent value.

It's 1/1 that both teams score once more, while England to prevail in extra-time is 11/1 and a repeat penalty shootout victory is 8/1.
 

Plenty of goalscorer options

Spain lead the tournament for goals scored with 17 but England aren't too far behind with 13 in the finals so far.

Both sides like to share the scoring around with Aitana Bonmati, Jennifer Hermoso and Alba Redondo all bagging three each for La Roja Down Under.

The trio are 5/1, 12/5 and 11/4 respectively to get on the scoresheet at any time with Bonmati the standout price to make her mark once more.

The mercurial Barcelona playmaker has bagged 19 goals in 53 appearances for her country and often pops up in the penalty area at the crucial moment.

England, though, have their own goalscoring threats with Lauren James, Lauren Hemp and Alessio Russo all claiming three goals each in their run to the final.

Russo is 17/2 to open the scoring on Sunday, and she is 10/3 to score at any time, while Hemp and James are both 4/1 to get on the scoresheet.

Those wanting even great value, though, would be advised to take a closer look at left-back Rachel Daly who regularly finds herself in the opposition penalty area.

Daly finished top scorer in the Women's Super League for Aston Villa last season and is a huge threat at set-pieces.

She is 17/2 to score first in Sydney and 10/3 to score at any time. Both look great prices.
 

Women's World Cup Daily Betting Preview: Defiant Matildas target bronze

The 2023 Women's World Cup reaches its conclusion on Sunday when Spain and England clash in the final but before that contest there is the third-place play-off between Sweden and Australia on Saturday.

Tournament co-hosts Australia have enjoyed their best ever performance at a Women's World Cup, while Sweden have finished third in two of the last three editions of the tournament.

WhatSweden Women v Australia Women
WhereSuncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia
When09.00, Saturday 19th August 2023
How to watchITV
OddsSweden Women 29/20, Draw 5/2, Australia Women 15/8

Matildas hoping for strong finish to dream tournament

Australia have handled the pressure of co-hosting this year's Women's World Cup exceptionally well.

Their opening two matches were cagey contests as they edged Ireland 1-0 in the tournament curtain-raiser before slipping to a 3-2 defeat against Nigeria, leaving them on the brink of a premature group-stage exit.

But in their final Group B assignment, the Matildas stepped up to the plate, thrashing 2015 hosts Canada 4-0 to finish top of their section.

That set up a clash with Denmark in the last 16 and goals from Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso in each half saw them prevail 2-0 to match their previous best finish of the quarter-finals.

A stern test awaited them in the last eight as they took on Herve Renard's France but in front of a lively Brisbane crowd they got over the line 7-6 in a dramatic penalty shootout after the match finished 0-0.

That put Australia through to the last four for the first time in their history and, remarkably, they achieved the feat without star forward Sam Kerr starting a match.

In the semi-finals Kerr returned and she made her mark with a stunning equaliser in the 63rd minute after opponents England had taken the lead in the 36th minute.

That lifted the roof off Stadium Australia in Sydney but Euro 2022 champions England hit back through Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo to reach the final.

It was a bittersweet moment for the Matildas, who achieved so much by making the last four but just missed out on a spot in a home final.

Sweden well-versed in third-place play-offs

Unlike Australia, Sweden have been here before and know the drill.

At two of the last three Women's World Cups, Sweden have finished with bronze and at 6/4 to win in 90 minutes, they are expected to do so again.

They were outplayed by Spain last time out but it was only an 89th-minute strike from full-back Olga Carmona which sealed their fate in a 2-1 defeat and they came minutes away from forcing extra time.

That will have hurt Peter Gerhardsson's side but there have nonetheless been a lot of positives to take out of the tournament.

In the group stage Sweden won all three of their matches comfortably against South Africa, Italy and Argentina.

They then met defending champions the USA in the last 16 and that was when they really caught the eye, dumping out the Stars and Stripes 5-4 on penalties.

That big scalp was followed by another as they edged a highly-rated Japan side 2-1 to make the last four, only for La Roja to bring an end to another impressive campaign.

Motivation likely to be higher in Australia camp

It is Sweden who have the major advantage when it comes to experience and raw talent but motivation has to be factored in when looking at a third-place playoff.

And Australia will most likely be the hungrier of the sides.

It has been a hugely significant tournament for the Matildas, who will want to sign off on a positive note in front of their own fans and they are 7/4 to get the job done in 90 minutes.

That could be worth consideration, as could a bet on Australia to finish third at 19/20.

With Kerr back in the side, Australia carry a greater attacking threat and they could cause their fair share of problems for Sweden, who may struggle to lift themselves after conceding so late against the Spanish last time out.

Australia have lost only three of their 12 internationals in 2023 and held their own against England last time out with the scores level until the 71st minute.

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