The field has narrowed in the Womens World Cup, as the Germans continue to hold their spot as the soccer betting favorites to clinch the title. Where do each of the remaining eight teams sit on the odds boards, and who hold the best value?
The Women’s World Cup is down to eight teams playing in a single-elimination, second stage of the tournament. These quarterfinals take place Saturday and Sunday in Germany. Here is what to look for when considering picking a champion, with the updated betting odds to win the tournament provided by 5Dimes.
GERMANY (-114)
Germany is the heavy soccer betting favorite to win its third straight title. The Germans are 14-0-1 in their past 15 World Cup matches and in the 2007 tournament, they outscored their opponents 21-0. However, this year, Germany won its three matches by an unimpressive combined 7-3 score. The pressure of being the overwhelming favorite could be a factor, but this is the deepest and most Cup-experienced team in the tournament. Considering they are playing on their home soil and have the easier side of the bracket in the knockout stage, the Germans are a great value at nearly even money.
BRAZIL (+490)
Brazil has been the most dominant team in the World Cup so far, outscoring its opponents 7-0. Marta has lived up to the hype of being the world’s best player, netting two goals with two assists in the three matches. Rosana and Cristiane also have two goals apiece, showing that this team has great balance, especially on the attack. The Brazilians have never won this tournament, but with the U.S. reeling and Germany looking beatable, this could be the year that Marta and company finally hoist the trophy.
UNITED STATES (+595)
After its first-ever loss in group play (15-1-2), the U.S. is the big wild card here. They have an extremely tough road to the finals with Brazil and the France/England winner before likely drawing Germany in the championship. The Americans have never lost a quarterfinal match in the World Cup, but Brazil crushed them four years ago in the semifinals by a 4-0 margin. But if the United States can beat Brazil (like they have done in the past two Olympic finals), the Americans have the talent to win the whole tournament.
FRANCE (+1625)
The French have shown how dangerous they are with six goals in their past two games against Canada and Germany. France’s offense is good enough to carry the team through to the championship, as five different women have scored in this tournament. There are questions about the defense, though, after allowing four goals to the Germans, who were playing without their best player Birgit Prinz. Also, top goalie Berangere Sapowicz will not play in the quarterfinals against England after receiving a red card against Germany. That leaves Celine Deville, who looked very shaky versus the Germans, as the starting keeper on Saturday.
SWEDEN (+1275)
The Swedes are riding high after their 2-1 upset of the U.S. on Wednesday to finish a perfect 3-0 in group play. They also face Australia, the weakest of the seven remaining teams in the quarterfinals. However, Sweden won all three matches by just one goal and lost the time of possession in each contest. This is a very physical team, committing a whopping 45 fouls in the tournament so far. The Swedes should get to the semifinals, but they do not have the offensive firepower to contend with Germany in the final four.
ENGLAND (+2450)
After a disappointing tie in the tournament opener to Mexico, England has gotten stronger in its past two contests, beating New Zealand 2-1 and upsetting Japan 2-0. At 20-to-1 odds, the English are the best longshot team to pick to win the Cup. They could have the best shot to defeat Germany, as they are the only squad not to lose to the Germans in the past three World Cups, playing them to a 0-0 draw in 2007. England is very deep and balanced, with eight players tallying either a goal or an assist so far in this tournament. Not included on this eight-woman list is the team’s best player, striker Kelly Smith, who has not yet shown what she is capable of.
JAPAN (+2550)
After a 4-0 drubbing of Mexico, the Japanese were blanked 2-0 in a loss to England Tuesday. But Japan does have enough star power to be an intriguing pick, with tournament goal leader Homare Sawa, who had a hat trick against Mexico. Aya Miyama is also a world-class player, and she has tallied a goal and two assists in this tournament. Japan has never beaten a European team in World Cup play (0-8-1), and don’t figure to end that streak against tournament host Germany on Saturday.
AUSTRALIA (+4500)
The underdog Aussies entered the tournament with 50-to-1 odds to win it all, and those soccer odds have remained nearly as high despite half the field going home. Australia played inspired soccer on Wednesday, erasing a 1-0 deficit with two Kyah Simon goals to reach the quarterfinals. The Aussies have the ability to upset Sweden in the knockout stage, but it is way too much to expect this team to then beat Germany and finally defeat whoever comes out of the Brazil/USA/France/England side of the bracket to claim a most improbable championship.