Women's World Cup Monday predictions: Australia target knockout berth
Recommended bets:
- Over 2.5 goals in Japan vs Spain
- Costa Rica to beat Zambia
- Australia to beat Canada
The Women's World Cup group stage is winding down and Monday will mark the conclusions of both Groups B and C in Australia and New Zealand.
In Group B, it is co-hosts Australia who are battling Canada and Nigeria for a place in the last 16, while in Group C top spot has still got to be decided with both Japan and Spain through to the knockout stages.
Japan vs Spain (Monday, 8am)
Japan and Spain have already sealed qualification from Group C at the Women's World Cup, but who takes top spot will be determined by the winner of Monday's clash in Wellington.
Spain are ahead on goal difference as it stands but both sides were comfortable in their respective wins over Costa Rica and Zambia and have netted a combined 15 goals in the tournament.
With the group winners set to face Norway and the runners-up taking on Switzerland in the last 16, finishing top will not be hugely advantageous but both Japan and Spain will be eager to finish the group with 100 per cent records nonetheless.
Women's Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas recently returned to the Spain team and can help her team contribute to a potentially high-scoring affair in this one.
Costa Rica vs Zambia (Monday, 8am)
Nothing but pride is on the line when Costa Rica clash with Zambia in Group C's other contest on Monday with both sides having already been eliminated from the tournament.
Both nations are pointless and goalless in the Women's World Cup and something has got to give when they meet in Hamilton.
But while both teams have struggled to make an impression in the tournament, Costa Rica are generally considered the stronger nation as they are 41 places above Zambia in the women's world rankings.
It is also worth noting that Costa Rica held their own a bit more than Zambia, losing 3-0 to Spain and 2-0 to Japan, whereas their African counterparts lost both fixtures 5-0.
With that in mind, Costa Rica are worth backing to edge this dead-rubber.
Canada vs Australia (Monday 11am)
Group B is set to go down to the wire with a crucial contest between tournament co-hosts Australia and an experienced Canada side on the cards in Melbourne on Monday.
The winner of this match will progress to the last 16 at the other's expense and, although Canada have one point than the Matildas, they will be up against a lively Melbourne crowd who will be right behind the Australian team.
That will not help Canada's cause and neither will the return of Australia's star player Sam Kerr, who missed the first two matches of the Women's World Cup through injury.
Kerr has shown in her career with Women's Super League club Chelsea that she is the player for the big occasion, having scored in the Women's FA Cup final earlier this year, and she can help the Matildas pick up an important victory.
