First place in Group B can essentially be decided on Wednesday when Germany and Spain meet in Valenciennes. These were considered the top two teams in the group before the Women’s World Cup started, and they both took care of business and picked up wins in their first games. These teams met in November of last year, and they played to a scoreless draw. Spain would love a similar result as they seek their first appearance in the knockout rounds of this competition.
Don't miss this Women’s World Cup match from the Stade du Hainaut in Valenciennes, France at 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on FOX.
2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Germany -111
Spain +303
Draw +251
Over/Under 2.5
Odds Analysis
Although both of these countries picked up wins in their first match, neither one of them were particularly impressive.
The Germans were very unimpressive, and they really struggled to top China. Germany was a mess in the back, especially during the first half, and a better team would have netted at least two goals in the opening 45 minutes. They looked better in the back after the break, but they continued to waste their chances on offense as China held firm in defense.
Teenager Giulia Gwinn finally broke the deadlock in the 66th minute. It was a seeing eye goal where the goalkeeper reacted late after Gwinn’s shot went through a defender’s legs, but the Germans were more than happy to take a bit of luck. They must do a better job of creating this time around.
Spain knocked off South Africa 3-1, but this outcome was very much in doubt for much of the match. The South Africans opened the scoring when Sandra Paños was caught out of position on a chip shot, and La Roja were continually flustered in their efforts to create. It looked like the Banyana Banyana would be able to get at least a result, but then Spain caught a break.
Captain Janine van Wyk was whistled for an inadvertent handball inside the penalty era, and Jennifer Hermoso converted the subsequently penalty for Spain. Hermoso knocked in another penalty kick after Nothando Vilakazi picked up her second yellow card to put Spain up, and then Lucia Garcia sealed the deal late. All three goals came in the last 20 minutes of regulation.
Spain Player to Watch
This is Alexia Putellas’ second World Cup. Putellas is Spain’s key piece in the midfield, and the team is relying on her to create and feed Hermoso good chances up top. Despite being just 25 years old, she has the second-most goals of any player on the roster, and she will need to do a better job of finding open space and distributing the ball to her teammates. If she can’t do that, Spain are likely to be flustered once more.
Germany Player to Watch
Dzsenifer Marozsan is probably the most talented player for Germany, but she had a rough game against China on Saturday. Marozsan was unable to get a lot going for Germany against technically sound China, and that played a major part in Germany being held to just one goal. She is seen as one of the best five or six players in the world, and she is a prime candidate for a breakout performance.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
It looked like Germany solved their defensive problems as their first match went on, and I’m going to put my faith in them here. Spain controlled most of the possession when they faced South Africa, but La Roja had a whale of a time converting in the final third. I think the Germans will keep the ball away from Spain’s midfield, and they are not a team built to counter.
2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Odds: Germany 2, Spain 0
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