Saturday’s Women’s World Cup Tips: Expect USA to rack up the goals against Vietnam

Tournament favourites USA and England will kickstart their Women’s World Cup campaigns on Saturday morning, and football expert Greg Lea is on hand to advise you on the best bets.

USA v Vietnam 

Kick-off: 2am Saturday 

Reigning champions and the most successful ever side in this competition, the USA have arrived in Oceania with the aim of going all the way. In their opening game four years ago, the Stars and Stripes showed no mercy in thumping Thailand 13-0 and another thrashing is on the cards here.

Vietnam can be obdurate opponents. They only lost 2-1 to Germany in a warm-up friendly and are a well-organised outfit under the management of Mai Duc Chung. But this could be a chastening 90 minutes for the debutants.

The USA’s squad contains the type of depth and quality that is the envy of most international sides on the planet, and the pre-tournament favourites will be keen to make a statement of intent in their opening game in Auckland.

From a betting perspective, most of the usual options are not particularly attractive. The goals market could be, though, as I expect the ball to enter the net on numerous occasions.

Prediction: Over 6.5 goals @ 1.79 

Zambia v Japan

Kick-off: 8am Saturday

Japan were runners-up at the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, but they will find it tough to repeat those feats this time around. SBK have them down as dark horses at outright odds of 34 behind the USA, England, Spain, Germany, France, Australia, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Nevertheless there is ample excitement over this Japan team, which has a youthful tinge to it. Futoshi Ikeda’s side is adept at keeping possession with a technically gifted crop of players, but they must show they have a cutting edge in attack.

Zambia might be World Cup debutants but they are not total novices on the international stage, having caught the eye at the Olympics in 2021. They will not roll over for Japan and will look to be tough to break down. 

Prediction: Under 3.5 goals @ 2.06 

England v Haiti

Kick-off: 10.30am Saturday

England begin their campaign against Haiti at a relatively convenient kick-off time back home. The European champions are priced at 6.4 to win the World Cup, making them second favourites to lift the trophy.

Sarina Wiegman’s side should certainly be confident of a good tournament. They proved themselves at the Euros last summer and have brought a balanced squad to Australia. The draw for the group stage was reasonably kind too. 

The absence of Beth Mead, Leah Williamson and Fran Kirby means England are not quite at full strength this summer, but that should not matter against Haiti. The Lionesses’ first opponents did brilliantly to qualify but they will be up against it from the get-go on Saturday.

Prediction: England to win and Over 4.5 goals @ 1.79 

Saturday’s Women’s World Cup Tips

USA v Vietnam: Over 6.5 goals @ 1.79
Zambia v Japan: Under 3.5 goals @ 2.06
England v Haiti: England to win and Over 4.5 goals @ 1.79