After losing out to eventual winners England at the Euros last year, Spain will hope to go all the way at the Women’s World Cup this year.

The Spanish are heavy favourites in Group C and they are ranked among the top sides at the World Cup, but can they stave off the threat of Japan, Zambia and Costa Rica at the first hurdle?

Knockouts a formality for Spain

The Spanish have only made it to three editions of the Women's World Cup, but they are aiming to become a force on the international stage. 

After a group stage exit in 2015, they made the last 16 in France four years ago, unfortunately for them running into the USA.

Spain pushed hosts England in that quarter-final exit at last year's Euros and with a clutch of Barcelona and Real Madrid players in their national setup, it is easy to see why they are the 9/2 third-favourites with LiveScore Bet for glory this year.

Costa Rica face tall order

Costa Rica return to the Women’s World Cup for the second time, having been eliminated at the group stage in 2015. 

They qualified by making the semi-finals at the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s Championship.

However, they are not expected to make a lot of noise at this tournament as they are priced at 500/1 with LiveScore Bet to win Group C, while they are a massive 22/1 to simply make it out of the group. 

Zambia can cause an upset

Zambia head to their first World Cup off the back of an eye-catching result, having beaten Germany 3-2 away from home in the build-up to this tournament.

After making it out of the group stage of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in the 21st century in 2022, Zambia went on to finish third at that tournament. 

That booked them a spot in Australia/New Zealand.

Having recently claimed a huge European scalp, they are third favourites at 9/2 with LiveScore Bet to progress from Group C.

Japan not the force of old

Japan return to the Women’s World Cup as one of the few ever-presents at the tournament, having qualified for all nine editions so far. 

They were winners in 2011 and runners-up in 2015, but they are hoping to improve on a last-16 exit four years ago. 

Having struggled to make an impression at the Olympics as hosts in 2021 and then exiting in the semis of the 2022 Asian Cup, hopes are not likely to be all that high for Japan making a deep run. 

They are 33/1 outsiders with LiveScore Bet to win the tournament while they are a distant second behind the Spanish in the group winner betting at 9/2. 

Group C best bet - Last-eight exit for group favourites Spain 

There is little value in backing Spain at 2/13 to win Group C and their track record makes it hard to see them going all the way either. 

While this is a straightforward draw for the Spanish, things are set to get tough down the line.

Spain can see off their trio of Group C rivals and a potential last-16 clash with either Switzerland or co-hosts New Zealand should not be a huge concern. 

However, they have never made it past the last eight at the Euros, so a clash with Sweden in the quarter-finals could be it for them. 

Look to Spain to exit at the quarter-final stage at 9/4 with LiveScore Bet.

Group C long shots - Zambia to fall at first knockout stage

Zambia head into the tournament having lost one of their last four games, scoring three times against both Switzerland and Germany and having narrowly lost 3-2 at the Republic of Ireland. 

While Japan are the stronger side, on paper at least, there is a chance Zambia can edge them out at this tournament, especially as the pair meet in the opening game.

Japan’s form is not as strong as they have lost five of their last eight games and could fall short in their opener, with Zambia impressing of late. 

While Japan are still widely expected to go through, it is hard to ignore the price on offer of 14/1 with LiveScore Bet on Zambia to exit at the last 16.