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2024 Summer Olympics: Zambia vs. USWNT soccer odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s Zambia vs. United States odds and lines, with Olympics women’s soccer expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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In 2024 Summer Olympics women’s soccer action, Zambia and the United States meet Thursday at 3 p.m. ET (USA Network / Peacock / Universo). The opener for both teams takes place at Allianz Riviera in Nice, France. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines for the Zambia vs. USWNT, and make our expert Summer Olympic picks and predictions.

Zambia and United States are in Group B with Australia and Germany, which play earlier in the day at 1 p.m. ET (Peacock / Universo).

The Copper Queens from Zambia are 64th in the FIFA rankings. It defeated Cameroon in the final round of the African qualifiers to punch its ticket to Paris. Zambia is appearing in the Summer Olympics for the 2nd time, also appearing in Tokyo where it finished 9th.

The USWNT posted a scoreless draw in a friendly against Costa Rica in Washington D.C. July 16. The Americans have posted 4 consecutive clean sheets in 4 international friendlies leading up to the Olympics. The last time USA allowed a team to score was 5 matches ago in a 2-2 win on penalties against Canada in the SheBelieves Cup in April.

The USWNT has won 5 golds in the Olympics, but it hasn’t won it all since the 2012 London games.

Zambia vs. USWNT odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:37 a.m. ET.

  • 3-way moneyline (ML): Zambia +5000 (bet $100 to win $5,000) | USWNT -3000 (bet $3,000 to win $100) | Draw +1300
  • 2-way spread: Zambia +2.5 (+130) | USWNT -2.5 (-160)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 3.5 (O: -136 | U: +108)

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Zambia vs. USWNT picks and predictions

Prediction

USWNT 4, Zambia 1

Moneyline

You can’t play the United States (-3000) straight up on the 3-way moneyline, risking 30 times your potential return. While it’s a near certainty that the Stars and Stripes hammer Zambia (+5000), there is no value playing the giant favorite.

PASS.

2-way Line/Against the spread

USWNT -2.5 (-160) is a strong play laying the points.

Zambia +2.5 (+130) took it on the chin in the Olympic opener in the Tokyo games, falling 10-3 against the Netherlands. While the Copper Queens should be much improved, facing a world power on the pitch in the opening match in Paris is a tall order.

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Over/Under

OVER 3.5 (-136) is a strong play, and the Americans could take care of the Over all on its own.

While the USWNT has scored 8 goals in the past 4 matches, it has faced some higher quality competition in the friendlies. It should roll up the offense against an overmatched Zambian side.

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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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

More USA TODAY Summer Olympics coverage:
News | Medal count | Meet Team USA

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2023 Women’s World Cup: Costa Rica vs. Zambia odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Monday’s Costa Rica vs. Zambia odds and lines, with Women’s World Cup soccer expert picks, predictions and best bets.

Costa Rica (0-2-0 / W-L-D) faces Zambia (0-2-0) Monday as Group C play comes to an end. Kickoff from Waikato Stadium is at 3 a.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Costa Rica vs. Zambia odds, and make our best Women’s World Cup bets, picks and predictions.

Costa Rica and Zambia came into this World Cup with little chance to advance and after 2 games everyone knows why. Neither team has scored a goal in the tournament and have yet to score a point. Monday will be the their last chance to go home on a high note.

Zambia lost both their matches by a whopping 5 goals, which is not surprising since Spain and Japan are serious competition for a Zambia team making their debut in the World Cup and ranked 77th in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings.

Zambia started this tournament reeling after their goalkeeper Hazel Nali got injured days before the World Cup began, and in the waning minutes of their opening loss to Japan their backup goalie received a red card disqualifying her from playing against Spain. But still the Zambia defense allowed 22 shots, 13 of which were on goal, a tough ask for any goalie.

Costa Rica, 36th in the FIFA rankings, bounced back from a poor performance against Spain, where they took 1 shot (not on goal) and controlled the ball just 20% of the time. And Costa Rica failed to press Japan, despite improving their possession amount to 43% they took just 6 shots, 2 on goal, and failed to take a single corner kick.

Watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup on FOX and FS1 with FUBO TV

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Costa Rica vs. Zambia odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 4:21 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline: Costa Rica +210 (bet $100 to win $210) | Zambia +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Draw +250 (bet $100 to win $250)
  • Over/Under: 2.5 (O: +125 | U: -175)

Costa Rica vs. Zambia picks and predictions

Prediction

Costa Rica 0, Zambia 0

Moneyline (ML)

Zambia’s goalkeeping has been a serious weakness for them, whether it’s their backup or the 3rd stringer. The African country allows the 2nd-worst shot-to-goal ratio in the World Cup (.20).

But for Costa Rica to seize any advantage they need to take shots on target and that has been their weak spot. They have a total of 2 shots on goal in 2 matches. And if you take all of their shots (including those off target) they average just 3.5 per game.

Zambia has been more aggressive when it comes to shots this tournament, although their 10 attempts are in the bottom half of this World Cup. But their accuracy is a problem, just 20% of their shots are on target, which is the 2nd-worst.

Looking at these teams its tough to see how anyone can score. Zambia’s goalie will be a liability but Costa Rica will need to apply pressure, which I don’t see happening in any consistent manner.

LEAN DRAW +250.

Over/Under (O/U)

The offenses for Zambia and Costa Rica come into Monday’s match quite rusty. They are both averaging 1 shot on goal per 90 minutes. And those shots aren’t taken close to the goal. Both teams are in the bottom 3rd of distance per shot (Zambia at 21.2 yards away and Costa Rica at 21.9 yards away).

These teams will need a lucky break to get one in the net and both teams’ defense has gotten plenty of experience these past couple games.

BET ALTERNATIVE UNDER 1.5 (+175) and if you do believe a scoreless tie is possible consider UNDER .5 (+550).

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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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Ethan Matthew on Twitter. Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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2023 Women’s World Cup: Spain vs. Zambia odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Spain vs. Zambia odds and lines, with Women’s World Cup soccer expert picks, predictions and best bets.

Spain (1-0-0 / W-D-L) takes on Zambia (0-0-1) Wednesday as Group C play continues. Kickoff from Eden Park is at 3:30 a.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Spain vs. Zambia odds, and make our best Women’s World Cup bets, picks and predictions.

The results in the opening games for both these teams were not surprising. Zambia was +775 to beat Japan and lost 5-0. Spain was -10000 against Costa Rica and won 3-0. But sometimes it’s how you play that matters.

Zambia made its World Cup debut against Japan Saturday and was overpowered by the 2015 runner-up. It wasn’t immediate though as Japan only led 1-0 at halftime on a goal from M Hinata Miyazawa in the 43rd minute.

Japan’s defense prevented the African nation from any offensive success. Zambia failed to take a shot on goal, or any shot close to the goal, even with its lone corner kick.

Spain’s 3-0 win against Costa Rica, while impressive, was still much lower than what its stats show. Spain took 22 corner kicks and 46 shots against Costa Rica (12 on goal). It held the ball 80% of the time, while Costa Rica failed to take a single shot on goal.

Despite all that, Spain only scored twice, on goals by M Aitana Bonmati and F Esther Gonzalez — 1 of Spain’s goals was a Costa Rica own goal.

Spain is No. 6 in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings; Zambia checks in at No. 77.

Watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup on FOX and FS1 with FUBO TV

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Spain vs. Zambia odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 2:13 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline: Spain -15000 (bet $15,000 to win $100) | Zambia +10000 (bet $100 to win $10,000) | Draw +3500
  • Over/Under: 4.5 (O: -135 | U: -105)

Spain vs. Zambia picks and predictions

Prediction

Spain 5, Zambia 0

Moneyline (ML)

Like its 1st match, Spain (-15000) is heavily favored. The moneyline odds are so high, you have to PASS and look to other options.

From the last game, Spain shook off a lot of its pre-World Cup drama and showed how dominant it can be. But despite the one-sided match with Costa Rica, it took Spain until the 23rd minute to score.

Zambia has problems with its defense, but held Japan scoreless until right before the 1st half ended. So far in this tournament, it’s taking teams a fair amount of time to score. Of the 1st 32 goals scored, only 8 have come before the 45-minute mark. Teams are averaging 42 minutes per goal.

BET DRAW AT 30 MINUTES (+195).

Over/Under (O/U)

Only 2 of the 1st 12 matches played have gone Over 4 goals, but there are a few reasons to like the Over here. First, Zambia’s loss to Japan was 1 of those Over results. Second, Zambian GK Catherine Musonda was given a red card late in that game, disqualifying her from playing against Spain.

Zambia won’t be playing their 2nd-stringer because Musonda was the backup. Hazel Nali was the starter, but had to bow out days before the World Cup began with a knee injury. If the backup allowed 5 goals it may be impossible to keep this game close. Spain had 12 shots on goal in the 1st game.

BET OVER 4.5 (-135).

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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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Ethan Matthew on Twitter. Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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2023 Women’s World Cup: Zambia vs. Japan odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s Zambia vs. Japan odds and lines, with Women’s World Cup soccer expert picks, predictions and best bets.

Zambia takes on Japan to commence each nation’s 2023 Women’s World Cup Saturday. Kickoff from FMG Stadium Waikato is set for 3 a.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Zambia vs. Japan odds, and make our best Women’s World Cup bets, picks and predictions.

Zambia will be making its World Cup debut after qualifying as the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal winner. Zambia, No. 77 in the FIFA Women World Rankings, has played 9 matches this calendar year, winning 4 of them, drawing just 1 and losing 4. Zambia won 6 of 8 games in 2022. F Barbra Banda is the most notable player, having scored 22 goals in 10 caps.

Japan, ranked No. 11 by FIFA, qualified for the World Cup by being a quarterfinal winner of the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. It has now made the event 9 straight times. Japan is 3-3 so far this year after going 3-2-1 in 2022. Japan lost 1-0 to Brazil on Feb. 16 and 1-0 to USA on Feb, 19.

Watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup on FOX and FS1 with FUBO TV

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Zambia vs. Japan odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 6:22 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline: Zambia +775 (bet $100 to win $775) | Japan -375 (bet $375 to win $100) | Draw +475
  • Over/Under: 3.5 (O: -115 | U: -120)

Zambia vs. Japan picks and predictions

Prediction

Japan 3, Zambia 0

Moneyline (ML)

PASS.

Japan has competed well against top-tier nations this year and should be primed to perform up to expectations in the World Cup. Zambia similarly hasn’t made the event before and may struggle to play at Japan’s level.

However, given the (-375) value on the favorite, there’s no reason to consider a moneyline play. The risk isn’t worth the potentially minimal reward.

Over/Under (O/U)

BET UNDER 3.5 (-120).

Japan beat Panama 5-0 on July 14. Other than that, it has gone Under 3.5 in in its other 5 matches this year. Japan went Under this total in 4 of 6 last year as well. Zambia has gone Over in 3 straight games, but this intensity should be higher than that of a friendly.

Japan also held 2 of the most potent offenses to just 1 goal each earlier in the year, so it should be able to tame Zambia. Considering how Japan should take the pace out of the game, back the UNDER 3.5 (+100).

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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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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