Norway Women v Australia Women
Women’s World Cup 2019 – 8.00 pm
BBC
This is the opening match of the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup 2019. It should be a fascinating showdown as well, between the organised Norwegians and the explosive Matildas. It has been some journey from Australia in the tournament so far. They suffered a shock 2-1 reverse against Italy in their opening game. At 2-0 down in the first half of their second game against Brazil, Australia looked to be heading out.
But then a fightback against Brazil saw Australia take a stunning 3-2 success in that match. Then it was the Sam Kerr show as the young striker fired off four goals in a 4-1 success over Jamaica. So they have some hot momentum going forward now. With their star player Kerr bang in form (five goals in three games), the Matildas are trading as 13/10 odds-on favourites with leading bookmakers to reach the quarter finals.
Backing Kerr to get on the scoresheet again will probably be one of the best bets of the day for punters. Norway finished second in their group behind host nation France, beating Nigeria and South Korea, but falling (perhaps a little controversially) against the French. The Norwegians have won three of their last five games and they will be facing an Australian defence which doesn’t look the most convincing. But will the 9/5 underdogs have enough to outscore the Matildas?
West Indies v New Zealand
Cricket World Cup – 1.30 pm
Sky Sports
It has been spectacularly entertaining stuff from the West Indies at the World Cup so far. Not all of it for the right reasons though. They came flying out of the blocks with a win by seven wickets over Pakistan but their tournament really turned when they failed to capitalise on a couple of strong positions against Australia in their second match. With their next match against South Africa washed out, they were then hammered by England.
Then came their biggest collapse as they allowed Bangladesh to complete the second-highest successful run chase in World Cup history against them. Their opponents knocked off their 322 target with 8.3 overs to spare and the Windies lost by seven wickets. In patches they’ve looked brilliant and explosive with bat and ball, and other times just comically off point.
They get a tough game here against the composed New Zealanders who are well in contention for a top four finish in the group to advance to the semi’s. The Kiwis always seem to be a dab hand when it comes to tournament play and are unbeaten in five tournament matches in this campaign, winning four. They beat South Africa in a tense match on Wednesday, Kane Williamson seeing them home. The Kiwis are the 4/6 odds-on favourites with leading bookmakers to win this one.
Peru v Brazil
Copa America 2019 – 8.00 pm
Premier Sports
The Brazilians, who are the hosts of the tournament, have come in for some stick by their own fans. They were booed off at half time in their opener as they were only 0-0 against outsiders Bolivia. The Selecao won 3-0 in the end, thanks to a helping hand of a brace from Philipe Coutinho. But then they had two goals disallowed through VAR against Venezuela and ended up drawing 0-0. That didn’t go down well at all in Salvador.
They are at least assured of third place in the group. That is a worst-case scenario. The two best third-placed teams from the group stage move through to the quarters along with group winners. Will Brazil be able to finish with a bang and beat Peru, who are right there level on four points with them? You can imagine the reaction by the home support if Brazil get beaten to the group win by the Peruvians. So the tension is on Brazil now but that has not stopped the top bookies making them 1/3 odds-on favourites.
The Peruvians opened with a 0-0 draw against Venezuela and then produced a 3-1 win over Bolivia. So it’s all pretty even then, with Brazil just topping them in the group on goal difference. Venezuela will be heading to the next round regardless of what happens in this one. Peru has scored in just one of their last three games and have won just three of their previous 26 games against Brazil (D6 L17). However at the 2016 Copa America, Peru shocked the Selecao by beating them 1-0. A Peru – Draw Double Chance is at 12/5 with leading bookies.
Bolivia v Venezuela
Copa America – 8.00 pm
Premier Sports
This is a big game for Venezuela as they have a shot at landing a top two finish. This is the same group as Peru and Brazil, from the game above. So if there is a loser in that game, then they would be jumped ahead of by Venezuela. If of course, Venezuela beat Bolivia, which they will be expected to do, at least by the bookies who have them as the 8/15 odds-on favourites for success.
Venezuela have collected just two points in the group so far after they failed to get the better of Peru in their opening game. That ended in a 0-0 draw. So did their second match against the tournament hosts Brazil. Venezuela had a couple of let offs in the game as Brazil were denied two goals through VAR. So that point for Venezuela in that one will have been a big bonus.
The threat of Bolivia has, by and large, been non existent in this group. They were thumped 3-0 by Brazil and then 3-1 by Peru. So they are already out of the qualification picture and nothing to play for. So there’s a chance that they will just rotate their starting eleven and give other members of the squad a chance. That could just lend further favouritism to Venezuela. The Bolivians, who are on a big losing streak, scoring just one goal in their last five played, are 11/2 underdogs.
