FIFA Women’s World Cup Quarterfinal: Australia vs France Betting Preview

France Dominate in Round of 16

Australia is aiming to become just the second host nation to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The co-hosts defeated Denmark in the round of 16 for just their second-ever knockout stage victory. Now, they’ll take on France, who destroyed Morocco 4-0 in their first knockout stage match. Both teams are ranked in the top ten and this should be an excellent matchup. We’ll run through the odds in our Australia vs France betting preview.

FIFA Women’s World Cup

Head-to-Head:

Australia defeated France 1-0 in a pre-tournament friendly back in July. All time, Australia leads the series 4-3, with one draw. This is the first opportunity for betting on soccer in this fixture in the Women’s World Cup or any major tournament.

Kerr Returns for Australia

• • FIFA Women’s World Ranking: 10
  • Group Stage Standings: 2-1, 1st Group B
  • Round of 16 Result: 2-0 W vs. Denmark

Co-hosts Australia finished first in Group B with six World Cup points. They managed wins over Canada and the Republic of Ireland and a loss to Nigeria. That led to a round of 16 meetings vs Denmark in Sydney on Monday. Denmark had some early chances but failed to capitalize and Australia made them pay.

From inside her own half, Mary Fowler played an excellent through ball to Caitlin Foord who opened up the scoring. In the second half, Hayley Raso doubled Australia’s lead and put the match out of reach. Sam Kerr, who missed all three of Australia’s group-stage matches, returned for the final 10 minutes vs Denmark and looked active in her cameo. Australia’s all-time leading scorer could play a key role in the quarterfinal.

Our Australia vs France betting preview notes that it was only the second time Australia has won a knockout stage match in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Also, it marked the first time that the Matildas have kept consecutive clean sheets in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Now, Australia are just one win away from their first semifinal appearance and they’ll have the home crowd behind them.

France Set Goals Record

• FIFA Women’s World Ranking: 5
• Group Stage Standings: 2-1-0, 1st Group F
• Round of 16 Result: 4-0 W vs. Morocco

France opened up their Women’s World Cup campaign with a scoreless draw vs Jamaica. Since then, they’ve scored 12 goals in three matches and come away with three straight wins. The 12 goals are a record for France in a single Women’s World Cup campaign. In their round of 16 matchup vs Morocco, France scored four unanswered goals and cruised to victory.

Our Australia vs France betting preview notes that France has now appeared in the last four Women’s World Cup quarterfinals. Kadidiatou Diani scored a hat trick in the group stage closer vs Panama and also excelled vs. Morocco. Diani, who plays her club soccer for Lyon, scored the opening goal and provided two assists. With four goals and three assists, Diani currently has the most goal contributions in the tournament.

Eugenie Le Sommer also added two goals in the round of 16 and isn’t far behind Diani, with three goals for the tournament. With captain Wendie Renard spearheading the backline, France has one of the most well-rounded teams in the tournament. Injuries to Delphine Cascarino, Amandine Henry, and Marie-Antoinette Katoto kept them out of the squad but multiple players have stepped up in their absence.

Match Analysis & Odds

With Sam Kerr back, Australia certainly has a better chance to go on and win this match. Still, the co-hosts come in as +245 underdogs despite playing in front of their home fans. Recall that Mary Fowler scored the only goal as Australia defeated France in Melbourne last month in a friendly. Given France’s form and the fact that they’ve averaged four goals in their last three games, it’s clear to see why they’re favored.

In one of the most intriguing World Cup matches today, France -0.5 is listed at +120 odds. Les Bleues also show the same moneyline odds as they go for their first semifinals appearance since 2011. Meanwhile, the Matildas have won seven of their eight matches on home soil this year and Australia +0.5 sits at -150 odds.

Both teams have scored at least two goals in each of their last three matches. Unsurprisingly, the Women’s World Cup odds price over two goals at -145. A draw also comes in at +220 but only one of eight round-of-16 matches went into extra time. Overall, the oddsmakers price Australia at +130 odds to qualify for their first semifinal and France are -160 favorites to advance.

Can’t get enough? Here’s more!

• FIFA Women’s World Cup Quarterfinal: Japan vs. Sweden Betting Preview
• FIFA Women’s World Cup Quarterfinal: Spain vs Netherlands Odds
• FIFA Women’s World Cup Round of 16: France vs. Morocco Betting Odds
• FIFA Women’s World Cup Round of 16: Colombia vs. Jamaica Odds
• FIFA Women’s World Cup Round of 16: Sweden vs. USA Betting Preview