Sunday’s Women’s World Cup Tips: Sweden can comfortably defeat South Africa

The Women’s World Cup continues on Sunday morning as Sweden, the Netherlands and France all begin their competition. Here is how Greg Lea envisages the matches playing out. 

Sweden v South Africa 

Kick-off: 6am Sunday 

Women’s World Cup regulars Sweden will be desperate to win the tournament for the first time. They are not as fancied to go all the way as the likes of the USA, England, Spain or France, but many will like the look of 25 on a Swedish triumph. 

The main question mark centres on the team’s defence, but it is hard to see Sweden’s Group G opponents giving them too much trouble. Argentina have never reached the knockout phase before, Italy are decent but not among the favourites, and South Africa lost all three matches four years ago. 

This should be a comfortable opening game for Sweden, who are likely to outclass South Africa at the Wellington Regional Stadium. A win by a three-goal margin or more is a distinct possibility.

Prediction: Sweden -2.5 Asian handicap @ 1.95

Netherlands v Portugal 

Kick-off: 8.30am Sunday 

World Cup finalists in 2019, the Netherlands lost head coach Sarina Wiegman to England and then suffered a disappointing European Championship. Now led by Andries Jonker, a former assistant to Louis van Gaal, the Dutch are potential dark horses this summer. 

Their chances of success were dealt a major blow last December, however, as their star player Vivianne Miedema suffered a serious knee injury. Her absence means the Netherlands will have to make do without their all-time leading goalscorer. 

Portugal are one of eight World Cup debutantes this time around after benefiting from the expansion of the tournament to 32 teams. They are the underdogs in this match but there is enough talent within their squad for Portugal to cause the Netherlands a problem or two. 

Prediction: Both teams to score @ 1.86

France v Jamaica 

Kick-off: 11am Sunday

Corinne Diacre’s six-year tenure as France manager came to an end in March, much to the relief of several players. Diacre fell out with numerous members of the squad during her time in charge, with the likes of Wendie Renard, Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani vowing to never play for their country for as long as Diacre was at the helm. 

The 48-year-old has been succeeded by Herve Renard, a man with no shortage of experience at international level. This is his first role in the women’s game but Renard earned the respect of the French players immediately.

Few teams on the planet can match this French group for sheer talent, so the excitement back home is understandable. Jamaica could be in for a tough opening encounter, particularly once France have warmed up in the second half.

Prediction: Over 2.5 goals in second half @ 1.85

Sunday’s Women’s World Cup Tips 

Sweden v South Africa: Sweden -2.5 Asian handicap @ 1.95
Netherlands v Portugal: Both teams to score @ 1.86
France v Jamaica: Over 2.5 goals in second half @ 1.85