FIFA Women’s World Cup: Costa Rica vs Zambia Odds
Both Sides Eliminated From Knockout Stage Contention
Costa Rica and Zambia Still Without World Cup Win
In a difficult Women’s World Cup group, with Spain and Japan, expectations weren’t necessarily high for Costa Rica and Zambia. Neither team has been able to pull off an upset, as they’ve both dropped their first two matches. As a result, both teams are already eliminated from knockout stage contention. They can still make history by getting their first Women’s World Cup win here. As for Zambia, they’re still looking for a first World Cup goal. We’ll preview the Costa Rica vs. Zambia odds as these sides play for pride.
FIFA Women’s World Cup
Costa Rica vs. Zambia
Date, time:
Head-to-Head
As this is Zambia’s Women’s World Cup debut, these teams have never played any World Cup matches against each other. This will be Costa Rica’s first World Cup match vs. African opposition and Zambia’s first vs. a CONCACAF side.
Costa Rica Going Home Empty-Handed
- FIFA Women’s World Ranking: 36
- Last Match: 0-2 L vs. Japan
- Standings: 0-2, 3rd Group C
Costa Rica have only qualified for one other Women’s World Cup, in 2015. There, they drew twice and lost once and finished third in the Group E World Cup group standings. This time around, they’re at risk of going home without a point, and this will be their last match at the tournament. Defensive errors have come back to haunt Costa Rica as they lost 3-0 to Spain and 2-0 to Japan.
They’re now just 1-2-8 this year in all competitions and have failed to score on six occasions. After keeping just 19 percent possession vs. Spain and failing to put a shot on target, at least they created a few chances vs. Japan. Costa Rica had six shots, with two on target, but haven’t yet scored at Australia & New Zealand 2023. They are ranked 41 places ahead of Zambia in the Women’s World rankings, so they should have an excellent chance to get on the scoresheet here.
Still, the Costa Rica vs. Zambia odds price Las Ticas as underdogs for this match. This is their first match vs. a CAF team in their World Cup history. It’s also Costa Rica’s best chance to get their first-ever Women’s World Cup win on their sixth attempt.
Zambia Conceding a Ton of Goals
- FIFA Women’s World Ranking: 77
- Last Match: 0-5 L vs. Spain
- Standings: 0-2, 4th Group C
Zambia became just the third team to concede five goals in both of their first two Women’s World Cup matches. They’re also the fourth side in history to concede 10+ goals in their first two Women’s World Cup games. They fell 5-0 to both Japan and Spain and are proving that the 2021 Olympics were not a fluke.
There, Zambia conceded 15 goals in just three matches and were eliminated in the group stage. Even so, Barbra Banda starred at the tournament with six goals and led an exciting Zambia attack. Soccer predictions heading into the World Cup generally mentioned that Zambia were a threat to score goals. However, that certainly hasn’t been the case in their first two matches.
Zambia are still looking for their first-ever goal at the Women’s World Cup and chances have been few and far between. There should be more opportunities vs. Costa Rica but the Copper Queens will be going home either way.
Match Analysis & Odds
These two sides were the first teams to be eliminated from the FIFA Women’s World Cup. With nothing to lose, expect both teams to go for it here. The Costa Rica vs. Zambia odds price the Copper Queens as moneyline favorites.
Zambia will get goalkeeper Catherine Musonda back from a one-game suspension and will hope Barbra Banda can find her form. In this pick’em, Zambia show -145 odds to cover and this is their first-ever match vs. a CONCACAF team at a major tournament. Meanwhile, Costa Rica pk comes in at +115 odds.
Las Ticas are also +185 underdogs as they go for just their third win since October 2022. Zambia managed to beat Germany 3-2 in a pre-tournament friendly as Banda scored twice but they’ve been unable to find their footing. Both over and under 2.5 goals sit at -115 odds in what could be an unpredictable match between two sides going for their first-ever World Cup wins.
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