Thursday’s Women’s World Cup Tips: Norway and Australia can make winning starts

The best of women’s football will be on display in Australia and New Zealand from Thursday this week as eyes around the globe focus on the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

It’s been 32 years since Norway kicked off in the first Women’s World Cup in China, and they will be involved once again this time around as the biggest tournament of its kind begins in Auckland. 

Sticking to tradition, hosts New Zealand will get the ball rolling as the Football Ferns and the Matildas get their respective campaigns underway. New Zealand will be desperate to utilise home advantage to get an upper hand over the other 30 teams set to take part.

New Zealand v Norway

Kick-off: 8am Thursday

New Zealand haven’t endured the easiest of times in recent matches and they are pitched as the underdogs against Norway despite being on home turf at Eden Park. The hosts are at juicy 11 to be victorious, compared to just 1.29 offered about a Norway victory.

Defeat to Italy in their final pre-tournament friendly was New Zealand’s seventh loss in nine games in 2023 so far and, with 14 places separating them from 12th-ranked Norway in the FIFA rankings, they face an uphill task to end their drought. 

Hege Riise’s side has scored five goals in their last two games against Spain and Sweden despite winning neither, and New Zealand having kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 matches. On paper there is only one winner, and I’m also keen to back over 3.5 goals as Norway possesses the highly talented Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona) and Ada Hegerberg (Olympique Lyonnais).

Prediction: Norway Women to win and Over 3.5 goals @ 2.98

Australia v Republic of Ireland

Kick-off: 11am Thursday 

The Matildas have only won one opening World Cup game in their history, and that came at the hands of Ghana back in 2007. However, they have an excellent chance of putting that right in front of a home crowd at Australia Stadium on Thursday. 

Tony Gustavsson’s side has won nine of their last 10 matches, which includes an impressive 1-0 victory over France last week, and in Sam Kerr they have one of the best players on the planet. Her 12 goals in the 2022/23 season helped Chelsea win another WSL title, and she’s going to be buzzing to hit the ground running this summer. 

The Girls in Green also faced France earlier this month, but they were well beaten in a 3-0 romp after only narrowly overcoming Zambia a couple of weeks before. That was their only victory in the last five games, but they had won six on the bounce before February and aren’t to be underestimated. 

Australia should make a winning start and 20-year-old Mary Fowler has been highlighted as a real player to watch after joining Manchester City a year ago. Expect the home side to keep a clean sheet, too.

Prediction: Australia women to win and Both teams to score - No @ 2

Thursday’s Women’s World Cup Tips

New Zealand v Norway: Norway Women to win and Over 3.5 goals @ 2.98
Australia v Rep Of Ireland: Australia women to win and Both teams to score - No @ 2