Spain are looking to get out of the group stage and into the knockout rounds for the first time at the Women’s World Cup. La Roja qualified for their first World Cup in 2015 and were summarily dismissed with a record of 0-1-2. They are expected to get their very first win at this competition in their opener on Saturday. Spain will be taking on South Africa, a team that has yet to win a match this calendar year. Unsurprisingly, Banyana Banyana are heavy underdogs.
Don't miss this Women’s World Cup match from Stade Oceane in Le Havre, France at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 8, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on FOX.
2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Spain -833
South Africa +2286
Draw +698
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
South Africa might be the worst team at the Women’s World Cup. They have yet to register a win in 2019, and they are 0-3-6 in nine games since January. Their best result was a 0-0 home draw against Sweden in January, but the Swedes played with a number of their reserves. Banyana Banyana did not inspire a lot of confidence in their last two friendlies before the World Cup. A 3-0 loss to the United States wasn’t great, but it was a little respectable, while a 7-2 loss to Norway was crushing.
There have been a lot more encouraging results from the side of Spain. La Roja have defeated Netherlands, Switzerland, Cameroon, and Brazil, and they drew against Canada and Japan in their last two tune-up games. Additionally, the best is yet to come for Spain. Their U-20 team finished runner-up at the 2018 World Cup, while the U-17 team won the World Cup last year.
South Africa Player to Watch
Banyana Banyana do not have a lot of proven talent. Almost all of their players play for domestic teams, but at least captain Janine van Wyk is experienced internationally. South Africa’s long time center back is the most capped player on the team, and USWL fans will recognize her because of her previous affiliation with the Houston Dash. She is a quality defender that will try to prevent South Africa from being run over in the back.
Spain Player to Watch
Marta Torrejon is a legend. She broke into top flight soccer at the age of 14, and she has been one of the best players in Spain for 15 years. Torrejon has won a slew of titles with Espanyol and Barcelona, and the captain for La Roja is hoping to lead Spain to its first World Cup win. She is the most capped player on the roster, and Torrejon isn’t afraid to move up on set pieces.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
This match shouldn’t be close. South Africa doesn’t have much in the back aside from van Wyk, and Banyana Banyana are not likely to score against a veteran back line like Spain. Their big hope is for their opponents to come out a little nervous, since the Spanish don’t have a lot of experience on the roster. Only one player on La Roja (Silvia Meseguer) is 30 or older.
Look for Alexia Putellas and Jennifer Hermoso to have a fair amount of scoring chances. Hermoso is the most proven finisher on Spain with 28 goals in her international career and she should find the back of the net at least once. Putellas will have a hand in at least one goal, and Spain won’t have much trouble in their first game of the Women’s World Cup.
2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Odds: Spain 3, South Africa 0
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