France Women vs Brazil Women Predictions

France made light work of advancing from the group stages, though not each of their efforts were overly impressive. Brazil, whose key players are coming towards the end of their careers, aren’t quite the side they once were, though Les Bleues will need to take it up a notch if they’re to avoid exiting their own tournament early.

In truth, it’s difficult to criticise France; they’ve dealt with the weight of expectation that hosting a tournament brings and have made it through to the last-16 without a scratch. Granted, being in a group with Norway, South Korea and Nigeria, they were never going to be overly tested defensively, but their offensive credentials were always going to come under scrutiny as they went up against sides who were likely to sit behind the ball.

Despite facing sides that came with the objective of shutting up shop, Les Bleues looked useful going forward during the groups, as they scored seven goals and averaged 2.17 expected goals for.

However, France are now up against opposition that carries a real attacking threat. They may not be the most fast-paced, energetic side, but what Brazil lack in youthfulness, they more than make up for in experience and skill.

During the groups, Brazil’s experience paid dividends, especially in the final third, as they notched a pleasing six goals in three games. First time out, they showed their quality to score three goals and clock 3.44 expected goals for against Jamaica, while they also notched twice against Australia. Last time out, they may have only scored once against Italy, but they showed once again that they can create numerous openings, as they posted 2.03 expected goals for.

That said, Brazil have showed defensive deficiencies at this tournament, which doesn’t exactly bode well ahead of a match against France’s potent forward-line. They may have conceded in only one of their three group games, but Brazil shipped 1.0+ expected goals in each of those three, while their keeper certainly wasn’t without shots to save.

From a betting point of view, ‘Both Teams to Score’ is relatively easy to make a case for. Having scored in 100% of their games at this tournament, both have shown they’ve got what it takes to score goals. Add in the fact that France are averaging 2.17 expected goals for and the fact that Brazil are averaging 2.25 and the current odds available on both teams to notch begin to look somewhat generous.