We reveal our best outright bets for the 2023 Women's World Cup, which is set to get underway in Australia and New Zealand.
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Back to win: Germany {ODDS:1135575467:15/2}
It feels brave to swerve perennial World Cup favourites USA {ODDS:1135575486:9/4}, but this feels like the right tournament to do it.
Women’s football in Europe is stronger than ever, with England, Spain, and Germany all posing a serious threat to the American bid for three in a row.
Reigning European champions England come into the tournament as the second favourites at {ODDS:1135575465:9/2}, but injuries to captain Leah Williamson and star forwards Beth Mead and Fran Kirby seriously hamper their chances.
Similarly, Spain {ODDS:1135575465:6/1} are without several big names after a revolt back in September that saw 15 players refuse to play for the national team, citing a toxic culture under head coach Jorge Vilda.
Vilda remains in situ, however, and just three of those 15 players have been welcomed back into the fold for the World Cup, with Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarro missing out after their involvement.
Of the three main European hopes, it’s two-time world champions Germany who look in the best position to challenge the USA.
After a few lean years in which they failed to advance past the quarter-finals at Euro 2017 and the World Cup in 2019, DFB-Frauen looked back to their best at the Euros last summer.
They romped into the final having conceded just a single goal, but an untimely injury to captain Alexandra Popp, who had scored six goals at the tournament, derailed their preparations as they lost to hosts England in extra-time.
Popp is back for the World Cup, and will be supported by an uber-talented young cast, including electric winger Jule Brand and midfielder Lena Oberdorf, who was named the best young player at the Euros and finished fourth in Ballon D’Or voting in October.
Also working in Germany’s favour is the draw. They have been handed potentially the simplest route into the knockout stages, with Morocco, Colombia, and South Korea their opponents in Group H.
Crucially, if they win their group as expected, they will go into the opposite side of the draw to both USA and Spain, meaning they would not meet either until the final.
Each-way shout: Netherlands {ODDS:1135575473:40/1}
Netherlands appear to have been written off as serious contenders after a poor Euros in which they were eliminated in the quarter-finals, but this looks a massive price for the 2019 runners-up.
Since that disappointing campaign a year ago, new head coach Andries Jonker has quickly made his mark on the team, instilling an unfamiliar 5-3-2 system, and putting a huge emphasis on fitness.
They have won seven of 10 games since he took charge, and put in a strong performance in a 1-0 defeat by Germany in April that proved they’re not far away from the top teams.
There is plenty of experience in their squad, with 10 players having 50 caps or more, although they will be without record goalscorer Vivianne Miedema through injury.
Jill Roord and Danielle van de Donk will be the driving forces in midfield, with Lieke Martens and Lineth Beerensteyn in tandem up top.
Rising star Esmee Brugts is a natural forward but has been deployed at wing-back by Jonker – she is one to watch.
Netherlands do have the unfortunate task of facing USA in Group E, but should at least qualify in second, with Vietnam and Portugal their other opponents.
