The Womens World Cup has reached the semi-final stage with Sweden taking on Japan and favourites USA tackling Brazil. With pre-tournament favourites and hosts Germany out of the tournament, there is the opportunity for one country to write history and be crowned world champions at the weekend but, first of all, who will make it to the final?
Sweden v Japan
Sweden’s impressive 3-1 victory over Australia has raised expectations that they can become world champions (7/2 – Outright) for the first time in their history.
They were beaten finalists in 2003 – when they lost to hosts USA – but this present team appear to have the mental determination to go one better this time around.
Skipper Caroline Seger sums up the confidence currently to be found within the Swedish camp when she said in the build-up to the semi-final: “This is our time. Everything is going our way, we have more self-belief and we are playing extremely well together.”
That is certainly a reflection of a confident squad and one pulling in the same direction so, with that in mind, we can only see one winner on Wednesday, despite Japan’s famous 1-0 triumph over Germany in the last eight (Japan 9/2 – Outright).
They will not be taken lightly by the Swedish women but such is the mood and apparent momentum in the Sweden camp a narrow win (Sweden 5/4, Japan 9/5, the draw 21/10 – match prices) for Thomas Dennerby’s side looks on the cards.
Verdict: Sweden win
Value bet: Draw/Sweden – HT/FT – 21/5.
USA v France
USA are the real powerhouses of women’s football and, along with Germany, have dominated the game for the past few years (USA – 11/10 – Womens World Cup Outright).
The Americans have already won two World Cups, in 1991 and 1999, and have the fantastic record of making it at least into the semi-finals in every tournament, so without question they will be heavily fancied to see off France and book a final place (USA 9/10, France 13/5, the draw 11/5 – match prices).
They have had some criticism in Germany for adopting a physical and direct approach at times but no-one can say it hasn’t been effective with impressive group wins over Korea and Colombia before they slipped up against Sweden when losing 2-1 in their final group game.
In the end that result mattered little and USA then went on to beat Brazil on penalties in the quarter-finals to underline their mental toughness when the pressure is on.
It is likely to be a clash of styles in Monchengladbach with France (9/2 – Outright) so far making it into the last four thanks to some neat football and the goals of Gaetene Thiney and Marie-Laure Delie up front.
Coach Bruni Bini believes the fact France have already played in Monchengladbach and their slightly longer recovery period between their quarter-final win over England and the semi-final gives them the advantage going into the game.
However, do not be fooled by that talk as a very fit USA side will be ready for the game and are rightly viewed as favourites to progress. Their experience, form and mental strength are not in question and another final place beckons.
Verdict: USA win.
Value bet: USA to win 4-0 – 33/1.
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