New Zealand W vs Philippines W prediction: WORLD: World Cup Women betting tips on match 2023-07-24 05:30.
The 2023 Women’s World Cup (WWC) co-hosts New Zealand managed to edge out a tight 1-0 victory against Norway to kick off their campaign, and will be hoping a big crowd at Wellington’s Sky Stadium can help secure their first ever knockout round appearance following five previous group stage exits. Following just one success over their 12 prior matches (D2, L9), that group opening victory was perhaps as surprising as it was enjoyable.
That’s not to mention it was just their second win from 14 home games (D4, L8), so the Football Ferns can’t take anything for granted here despite their status as red-hot favourites against group minnows the Philippines. These sides have met just once previously – a 2-1 come-from-behind friendly win for New Zealand last year – and they may need a couple of goals yet again as that game was the first of a 14-game sequence which has yielded just two clean sheets.
As one of eight sides making their debut in the WWC this year, the Philippines are staring down the barrel of an early exit after their 2-0 opening round defeat to Switzerland. The WWC finals debutants are going to have to lift significantly if they’re to have any realistic chance of advancing from the group stage, even despite a “really proud” manager Alen Stajcic boasting that their performance against Switzerland illustrates they “belong at this level”.
Playing in New Zealand conditions shouldn’t be too much of an issue for many of the Philippines squad, several of whom ply their trade for various clubs in nearby Australia. They may take some heart from their impressive recent form (W5, L2), yet it should be read cautiously as the highest-ranked nation the Philippines defeated during that run was #32-ranked Vietnam, who sit six places below New Zealand.
Key battle: New Zealand and Melbourne City striker Hannah Wilkinson was the unlikely hero for her nation in the opening round, taking her tally to five goals from her last seven appearances for club and country. That’s in addition to an A-League goal against Sarina Bolden’s Western Sydney Wanderers in January. The Filipino striker should retain some confidence from opening the scoring against New Zealand last year.
Hot stat: Seven of the Philippines’ last eight defeats saw exactly one first half goal scored (HT: W2, D1, L5).