The Women’s World Cup 2023 outright preview, betting odds and predictions, brought to you by Women’s football expert Rich Laverty.
Women's World Cup 2023
The Women's World Cup is now just days away and for a number of reasons is set to be the most closely fought tournament to date. As 30 countries embark on co-hosts Australia and New Zealand for the biggest edition yet of the Women's World Cup, the quality of both players and teams is like nothing we've seen before.
With the tournament set to kick-off on Thursday morning in the UK (08:00 BST), I’ll take a look at the latest betting odds, including the outright market and those for Group Winners and the Golden Boot, before assessing England’s chances and giving my predictions for the tournament. The action starts with New Zealand vs Norway, closely followed by Australia against Republic of Ireland.
Women’s World Cup 2023 Winner Odds
| Team | Best Odds | Worst Odds |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 11/4 | 9/4 |
| England | 5/1 | 7/2 |
| Spain | 13/2 | 9/2 |
| Germany | 9/1 | 13/2 |
| France | 12/1 | 15/2 |
| Australia | 14/1 | 17/2 |
Women's World Cup favourites
Who are the favourites for the Women's World Cup?
USA are the bookmakers’ favourites to win the Women’s World Cup at a best price 11/4, followed by European champions England at 5/1 to lift the trophy. Vlatko Andonovski's US side are looking for an unprecedented third straight at World Cup, while Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses are close behind as they look to build on last summer's Euro 2022 success.
Both though are carrying key injuries, however, with both Spain and Germany close behind in the Women’s World Cup 2023 Winner Odds market, followed by co-hosts Australia. Tony Gustavsson's side come into the tournament in top form and have key players fit and firing, so there's no reason the Matildas couldn't conceivably go all the way on home soil.
Women's World Cup Group Winner Odds
- Norway, Switzerland, New Zealand, Philippines - Group A Betting Odds
- Australia, Canada, Republic of Ireland, Nigeria - Group B Betting Odds
- Spain, Japan, Zambia, Costa Rica - Group C Betting Odds
- England, Denmark, China, Haiti - Group D Betting Odds
- USA, Netherlands, Portugal, Vietnam - Group E Betting Odds
- France, Brazil, Jamaica, Panama - Group F Betting Odds
- Sweden, Italy, Argentina, South Africa - Group G Betting Odds
- Germany, Colombia, South Korea, Morocco - Group H Betting Odds
World Cup Golden Boot Odds
Who is the favourite to win the Golden Boot?
2019 Golden Boot winner Alex Morgan is the current favourite to repeat the feat four years on at a best price 5/1. The USA forward scored five in one game against Thailand last time around and given the US have debutants Vietnam in their group, who lost 9-0 to Spain in a warm-up friendly, it's no surprise Morgan is good odds to do it again.
She's closely followed though by teammate Sophia Smith, who has been in red hot form for Portland Thorns and could take her first major tournament by storm. England's Rachel Daly is next up as it appears the top scorer in the Women's Super League last season will get the nod as Sarina Wiegman's number nine. Of course Australia's super striker Sam Kerr (14/1) is right up there too and could be a good shout if the Aussies do go far.
Germany's Euro 2022 top scorer Alex Popp rounds out the top five in the World Cup Golden Boot odds market after enjoying another good season for Wolfsburg domestically.
World Cup Top Goalscorer Odds
| Name | Best Odds | Worst Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Morgan | 5/1 | 4/1 |
| Sophia Smith | 8/1 | 6/1 |
| Rachel Daly | 12/1 | 8/1 |
| Alexandra Popp | 14/1 | 9/1 |
| Sam Kerr | 14/1 | 8/1 |
England to Reach the Final Odds | England Route to Final
The Lionesses are generally low odds (9/4 best price) to reach a first World Cup final, behind only two-time champions USA (13/10), but it won't be a smooth path for Wiegman's side. They've been offered a kind group alongside Denmark, China and debutants Haiti, but beyond that England's side of the draw is tricky, even if they win the group.
One of Australia or Olympic champions Canada could await them in the second round, while a repeat of the Euro 2022 final is on the cards in the last eight. That's before you even think about a semi-final and a potential final.
With key players such as Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby and Beth Mead missing, looking at longer odds for England may be a better shout given the level of competition.
Women's World Cup Predictions | Rich Laverty World Cup Tips
This World Cup is no doubt the toughest to predict. It's the first to feature 32 nations, but with many of the top nations suffering from key injury absences, it has opened up the competition hugely.
I like SPAIN as third favourites, despite their off-field turmoil; they have for me the most quality in their squad, while AUSTRALIA being offered at 14/1 is also good money given the form they're in, plus home advantage. Either to reach the final would also be a solid bet.
Golden Boot Winner
Beyond the five mentioned above for Golden Boot, Spain's ALBA REDONDO is 16/1 and was top scorer in Liga F last season for Levante with 27 goals. If she gets the right service, she could fire in this tournament.
I also like ADA HEGERBERG's odds (22/1 at the time of writing). Norway struggled at Euro 2022, but they have a kind draw and it wouldn't be fanciful to suggest the Lyon star could have four or five goals after the group stage if things click.
Finally, Sweden also tend to do well at tournaments so an outside shout could be Arsenal's STINA BLACKSTENIUS who is being offered as long as 33/1. Blackstenius scored a hat-trick in a warm-up friendly this week and has enjoyed a good season for club and country.
