Denmark W vs China W prediction: WORLD: World Cup Women betting tips on match 2023-07-21 12:00.
Having failed to qualify for the past three tournaments, Denmark are looking to reach the knockout stage of a FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) for the first time since 1995. As they head into this year’s opener with China, the Red and White seem well placed to give a good account of themselves, currently sitting 13th in the FIFA World Rankings – the highest the country has been since 2018.
However, the Scandinavians are facing an opponent they have failed to beat in three previous WWC appearances (D1, L2), most recently being defeated 3-2 in the 2007 edition. Denmark head coach Lars Søndergaard will have to make do without experienced duo Sofie Junge and Stine Larsen however, with the latter unable to participate after suffering an ACL injury – one of a number of high-profile players forced to miss the tournament due to the problem.
China, meanwhile, are just one place below Denmark in the rankings, but friendly draws in 2023 against the Republic of Ireland, Switzerland and Colombia – all ranked below the Asian outfit – do not bode well. That said, the Steel Roses have very strong WWC pedigree, coming fourth in 1995 and then bettering that by finishing as the runners-up four years later. They have never been knocked out at the group stage, with their only blip historically coming when they failed to qualify for the 2011 edition.
Søndergaard’s opposite number Shui Qingxia has some notable experience in her ranks, including captain Wang Shanshan and vice-captain Zhang Rui, who have amassed more than 300 caps between them. China also know what it’s like to have recently won a major tournament, scooping the AFC Women’s Asian Cup last year by coming from 2-0 down in the final to beat South Korea thanks to a 93rd minute winner from Xiao Yuyi.
Players to watch: Pernille Harder, who has just joined Bayern Munich after three very successful years with Chelsea, is Denmark’s captain and inspiration, and will be looking to build on her national-record tally of 70 goals. For China, Wang Shanshan is their leading goal threat, two of which came in the 2015 WWC to help her country to the quarter-finals.
Hot stat: Denmark haven’t drawn any of their last 27 matches in all competitions!