Wednesday 19th July 2023

In Across the Leagues today:
 

• FIFA Women's World Cup 2023...

• Aussies kick-off at 11am, UK time…

• Two against the favourites…
         

Women's World Cup - 12/1 and 14/1 picks Down Under...

Good evening. Since my last Across the Leagues update, it's been a mad few weeks...

The baby arrived! 

My new little daughter is asleep across the room from me as I type. In fact, she's stirring. Does it sound like I'm delicately tip-tapping these letters into the keyboard? Because I am...

While attempting to type like a ninja, I've been doing some research for the FIFA Women's World Cup, which starts on Thursday morning, UK time. Australia and New Zealand are co-hosts.

I've got three picks for us to get involved with from day one...

Having downloaded the Official FIFA App, and filled in the 'Bracket Challenge' (or Wallchart, in old money). My predictions navigate through the draw to produce these semi-finals (sorry, England!):

USA v Spain

Australia v Germany

Reigning champions USA are favourites to retain their trophy, at 5/2 (3.5). Spain sit at 5/1 (6.0), level with Euro 2022 champs England. 

After those market leaders, Germany are 8/1 in general, and 9/1 at best with Unibet. Followed by Australia at 12/1, 11/1 & 10/1...

Of those, the country I want to get behind from the off are the co-hosts, Australia.

While fellow home-advantage nation New Zealand are 200/1 & 250/1 in general - and as big as 750/1 (!) with Skybet and SpreadEx. That's probably with good reason. In the women's game right now, with 32 countries competing in the World Cup for the first time, it may prove wise not to deviate too far from the established women's football nations at the top of the pile...

My tournament predictions have the Aussies or the Germans set to face the Americans or the Spaniards in the final. Perming those four teams in the Name the Finalists market would be one option.

I'm going to stick my neck out ahead of the opening games though, take on the shortest favourites, and put up the biggest price of that quartet - which is Australia at 12/1 - 10/1 Each Way (1/2 odds for reaching the final).

And in the Top Goalscorer or Golden Boot betting, it follows that we also support Australia's star player up front. And without a shadow of a doubt, that accolade goes to Sam Kerr. Available at 12/1 Each Way with 1/4 odds for 1-4 places with Bet365 and Betway...

The 29-year-old Chelsea striker was just one goal off top spot at the last World Cup (2019), on five goals. USA's Alex Morgan was joint-top in 2019, and the now-34-year-old goes off as the 5/1 favourite this time. With a younger American, 22-year-old Sophia Smith, 7/1 at best. The stars & stripes' 2019 Golden Boot winner Megan Rapinoe, now age 38 and reaching the end of her mighty career, is 25/1 in general.

Kerr at a standout 12/1 Each Way is my pick. In the Women's Super League last season, Sam finished 4th. She knows where the goal is...

And with Australia opening their campaign with a potential mismatch against newcomers Ireland on day one (Thursday, 11am - live on ITV1). Kerr could get a head-start in the Top Goalscorer race. Bet365 make the Aussie forward odds-on to score Anytime in the game, at 8/13 (1.62).

Let's get Australia & Kerr in the book at the best prices from day one, Each Way.

And as a way of also covering my predicted semi-final opponents Germany, odds of 14/1 Each Way for Alexandra Popp are also well worth taking...

You may remember we were in with a shout of bagging Popp as the outright top scorer at the Women's Euros last summer, only for the German star to miss the final, pulling out inured just minutes before kick-off. Our 10/1 shot ended up as a Dead Heat payout, level with England's (now injured) Beth Mead, who took the Golden Boot on Assists.

With a history of injuries and comebacks marking her story on the global stage, Popp may be out for redemption Down Under...

TODAY'S PICKS

See above for full details

Women's World Cup 2023

Outright Winner - Each Way (1/2 odds 1-2 places):
 

• Australia @ 12/1 10Bet & LiveScoreBet, 11/1 Betway, SpreadEx Sports, 10/1 Bet365, Skybet, William Hill, BetVictor, Ladbrokes, Coral, Unibet, Betfred, Boylesports

Top Goalscorer - Each Way (1/4 odds 1-4 places):
 

• Sam Kerr @ 12/1 Bet365, Betway, 10/1 Betfred, BetVictor
        

• Alexandra Popp @ 14/1 Bet365, Betway, Boylesports, SpreadEx Sports, 12/1 Betfred, BetVictor

Note: some bookies offer the 'Golden Boot' market (eg. Skybet, William Hill, Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook), as opposed to Top Goalscorer. The difference being the Golden Boot is the Official FIFA award, settled by Assists in the event of a tie. 'Top Goalscorer' is a Dead Heat if tied.

The Women's World Cup takes place from Thursday, 20th July - Sunday, 20th August. With the action live on the BBC and ITV.

Enjoy the football…

P.S
Want to get in touch? Email me at: oliver@acrosstheleagues.co.uk

Best wishes,

Oliver Upstone

Across the Leagues