Denmark battles China in Group D action Saturday. Kickoff from Perth Rectangular Stadium in Australia is set for 8 a.m. ET (FOX). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Denmark vs. China odds, and make our best Women’s World Cup bets, picks and predictions.
England and Haiti are the other 2 teams in Group D. England is the highest ranked team in the FIFA rankings at No. 4, while Denmark is 13th, China 14th and Haiti 53rd.
Denmark has won 4 of its 6 games in 2023, winning 2 of 3 in the Tournoi de France. It’s bringing one of the most experienced rosters with F Pernille Harder having 141 caps, MF Sanne Troelsgaard at 176 and D Katrine Veje at 145. Denmark qualified for this World Cup winning UEFA Group E.
China was the QF winner in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup to qualify. It has made it to 3 straight World Cups appearances. China is 2-3-3 (W-L-D) in 2023. It also features experience on its roster with 3 forwards having 100+ caps. Thirty-three-year-old captain F Wang Shanshan has 152 caps and 58 goals in her career.
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Denmark vs. China odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 9:37 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Denmark -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | China +320 (bet $100 to win $320) | Draw +240
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: +115 | U: -160)
Denmark vs. China picks and predictions
Prediction
Denmark 1, China 1
Moneyline (ML)
SPRINKLE DRAW (+240).
China (+320) is the underdog here, but it has several quality performances so far in 2023. It drew Switzerland (ranked 20th in FIFA), Ireland (22nd) and Colombia (25th) this year. China’s 3 losses are to top-tier teams in Sweden (3rd), Spain (6th) and Brazil (8th).
China should be able to keep pace with Denmark (-120), which ranks more similarly to Japan and Switzerland than Sweden and Spain. China’s experience with 3 players in the midfield and defense with 100+ caps is also a factor that should help in its World Cup opener.
Denmark beat Sweden 1-0 but lost to Spain 2-0 in 2 of its last 3 matches. It should be a good battle against China, and with neither team having played in the last 2 years, the unfamiliar styles could lead to a stalemate.
For a small unit, BACK DRAW (+320).
Over/Under (O/U)
BET UNDER 2.5 (-160).
Denmark has a strong defense and has clean sheets in 2 of its last 3 games, matches — vs. Japan and Sweden. It has gone Under this total in 5 of 6 games in 2023 as well.
China has gone Under in 3 of its last 7 games, drawing both Ireland and Switzerland 0-0 earlier this year. Two of its 3 most experienced strikers are 32- and 33-years-old, so their pace may not be able to produce as many opportunities.
Considering how the first few games of this World Cup have been at a slower pace and resulted in fewer goals, UNDER 2.5 (-160) seems like the better play here despite the extra juice.
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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