Jamaica W vs Brazil W prediction: WORLD: World Cup Women betting tips on match 2023-08-01 10:00.
Whilst nothing is guaranteed in sport, the fairly safe assumption that France will top Group F with a win over goalless Panama leads to the conclusion that Brazil are going to have to defeat the surprisingly well performing Jamaica in Melbourne to advance to the next round. Jamaica’s first and only goal of the tournament was enough to get past Panama and start this final matchday one point ahead of the Brazilians.
For head coach Lorne Donaldson, having fate in their own hands is a “wonderful” scenario that he said he would have gleefully accepted a fortnight ago, having come into this FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) without a single group stage win in their history. Donaldson knows that sharp improvement will be required four years on from losing 3-0 to Brazil in the 2019 tournament, but the return of striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw from a red card suspension should make scoring a more likely prospect.
Despite facing the pressure of almost certainly needing to win to progress beyond the group stage for a seventh consecutive time, there’s perhaps no need for panic in the Brazilian camp just yet despite captain Rafaelle Souza’s claim that this game is “all or nothing.” Advancing with six points earned against Panama (W 4-0) and Jamaica was a realistic pre-tournament expectation as reflected by their warm favouritism leading up to kick-off.
Brazil boss Pia Sundhage was scathing about their first half effort in their fifth consecutive loss to France (2-1), but is grateful for this “second chance to qualify” against Jamaica and will be emphasising the importance of starting better. Given that Brazil’s last seven matches have now seen the winner also lead at half-time, the first 45 minutes could be very revealing!
Key battle: Of the five goalkeepers to have collected two clean sheets in the first two rounds of group stage football, Jamaica’s Rebecca Spencer made more saves (nine) than any other. The most difficult test she faces in the tournament could be Brazilian midfielder Ary Borges, whose four shots on target at this WWC resulted in three goals.
Hot stat: Jamaica trailed at half-time in each of their 12 losses since the start of 2020.