Sweden battles South Africa in Group G competition of the 2023 Women’s World Cup Sunday. Kickoff from Wellington Regional Stadium in New Zealand is set for 1 a.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Sweden vs. South Africa odds, and make our best Women’s World Cup bets, picks and predictions.
Sweden, ranked No. 3 in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings. is the favorite to win Group G. Italy (No. 16) and Argentina (28) round out the group with South Africa (54).
South Africa qualified for the World Cup by being the quarterfinal winners of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. South Africa is 2-2-1 (W-L-D) in 2023 after finishing 2022 with a 3-4-1 record. It beat Costa Rica 2-0 in its most recent game, a friendly on July 15.
Sweden will be bringing one of the event’s most experienced squads, led by 38-year-old M Caroline Seger, who has 235 caps. It will also have versatility in its attack as 4 players have tallied 20 or more goals. Sweden is 2-1-2 on the year, coming off a 5-1 win July 17 over World Cup participant the Philippines.
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Sweden vs. South Africa odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 1:58 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Sweden -1200 (bet $1,200 to win $100) | South Africa +2500 (bet $100 to win $2,500) | Draw +1050
- Over/Under: 3.5 (O: +125 | U: -175)
Sweden vs. South Africa picks and predictions
Prediction
Sweden 4, South Africa 1
Moneyline (ML)
PASS.
Sweden is one of the best teams in the world and rightfully is a -1200 favorite. However, it is unplayable at these odds given the upsets we’ve seen like New Zealand over Norway and Nigeria drawing Canada.
Similarly, South Africa (+2500) hasn’t performed well throughout the calendar year and hasn’t given much reason to believe it can even pull off a draw.
AVOID this risk.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET OVER 3.5 (+125).
Sweden has gone Over this total in 3 of 5 games this year and 3 of 5 games last year, scoring at least 3 goals on its own in 3 of 5 games in 2023.
It has a potent front 3, and 3 players with more than 100 caps in its midfield as well. However, no Swedish goalie has more than 16 caps which could lead to a few miscues early on.
In 2022, South Africa allowed 6 goals to Brazil and 4 to Australia. In 2023, it allowed 5 to Botswana and 3 to Serbia. The latter 2 do not have the same caliber of attack as Sweden either.
South Africa has gone Over this total in 2 of its last 3 games and in 3 of its last 6 games.
Put it all together and TAKE OVER 3.5 (+125).
Check out Pro Soccer Wire: For the American soccer fan, USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s website provides a fresh look at the beautiful game.
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