Norway Women vs Australia Women Predictions

Norway were never expected to beat tournament hosts France to top spot in Group A, though they were always likely to fill second place, and thanks to wins against South Korea and Nigeria, that’s exactly what they did. After their latest victory, the Norwegians will be feeling confident, though the Aussies are no easy team to face, so they’ll need to be at their best.

Things started well for Norway, as they beat Nigeria by three goals to nil, though it was easy to feel that they were somewhat fortunate with their first victory, or at least they weren’t quite as good as the score-line suggested. An expected goal difference of +0.56 doesn’t exactly point towards total dominance. What’s more, the Norwegians were poor against France, as they offered a very limited amount going forward. They only got on the score-sheet thanks to an own goal, as the 0.42 expected goals for that they mustered was nowhere near enough.

Norway did find their stride going forward against the South Koreans on match-day three, as they scored two goals and posted a pleasing 2.22 expected goals for, though Martin Sjogren’s women didn’t exactly cover themselves in defensive glory. South Korea were afforded a goal, while they were also allowed to register 22 shots and create 1.61 expected goals for.

Having seen Norway, who boast an average expected goal difference of -0.17, come very close to faltering against South Korea, the Aussies will fancy themselves massively ahead of this match. Ante Milicic’s side did lose on the opening day, but as +1.86 expected goals difference suggests, they were unlucky, while they’ve since grown into the tournament, finding their attacking stride by scoring three against Brazil and four against Jamaica.

In the betting, the Aussies, who have an average expected goal difference of +1.22 at this tournament, are very tough to oppose, as they’ve bettered Norway in all areas. At the prices, the specific bet that catches the eye is ‘Australia to Win & Over 1.5 Goals’.

Norway’s defensive deficiencies were very much exposed against both France and South Korea, so Australia, who have arguably the most prolific striker in the world in their ranks, really ought to have enough about them to get the job done. What’s more, given that the Aussies are averaging 2.05 expected goals for, against a side conceding an average of 1.45, they look a good price to score at least twice on route to victory.