Kick-off: 0900, 05/08/2021
Stadium: Kashima Stadium
USA have laboured for much of the women’s event at the Tokyo Olympics but may improve with the pressure off when taking on Australia.
Bronze medals are up for grabs, but this is still a chance for the Stars and Stripes to relax a bit and open up more in Kashima.
We like 29/20 for the Americans to win and over 2.5 goals in the game for our first Australia women vs USA women prediction.
A Look At Australia’s Betting Odds
Australia struggled to match a powerful Sweden side when going down 1-0 in the semis but have generally played with a positive attitude in Japan.
The Matildas had previously edged out Great Britain 4-3 in extra-time in an absolute classic, with Chelsea striker Sam Kerr hitting a double.
In the group stage, Australia shaded neighbours New Zealand 2-1 before losing 4-2 to Sweden, with Kerr grabbing three of their goals in those matches.
A cagey closing clash with USA ended goalless to allow both teams through, but this match will hopefully be played at a much-higher tempo.
Looking at the Australia women vs USA women odds, we like 11/5 for the Stars and Stripes to win and both teams to score.
A Look At USA’s Betting Odds
USA bounced back from an opening 3-0 loss to Sweden by thrashing New Zealand 6-1 prior to the draw with Australia.
At that point, it was hard to assess whether the four-time Olympic champions were out of sorts or just finding their feet.
The quarter-finals again raised more questions than answers, with a penalty shoot-out needed to see off Netherlands following a 2-2 stalemate.
Losing to Canada for the first time in over 20 years in the semis was a bitter blow to a unit so used to success.
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher went off injured in the first half and the Cannucks later capitalised on a 75th-minute penalty to progress 1-0.
Megan Rapinoe declared: “We need to look at ourselves and need to perform better – period!
“We don’t have the juice because the balls are bouncing off our shins and we’re not finding open passes and we’re not doing the simple things.”
Key figures such as Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn, Alex Morgan and Tobin Heath are all advancing in age but that may inspire them to rally here.
Talk of breaking up this stellar group is premature and we feel head coach Vlakto Andonovski has over-complicated his tactics at times.
Given the chance to go out and play with freedom, the Stars and Stripes are fancied to fight for their futures and prove a point.
Let’s go with 15/2 for a 2-1 triumph to finish off our Australia women vs USA women betting tips.
Additional stats
Last result:
AUSTRALIA 0-1 Sweden
USA 0-1 Canada
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