Switzerland W vs New Zealand W prediction: WORLD: World Cup Women betting tips on match 2023-07-29 07:00.
Switzerland head coach Inka Grings spoke of her “immense pride” as her side battled to a 0-0 draw with Norway that puts them on the brink of progression to the knockout stages of this FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC). The Red Crosses now just need to avoid defeat against co-hosts New Zealand in their final group game to advance to the last 16 – something they managed to do in their only previous WWC finals appearance back in 2015.
Although Switzerland registered just one shot on target in their draw with Norway, Grings was thrilled with her side’s “infallible discipline” that’s become a staple of their play, having not conceded a single goal in any of their last three matches. Switzerland also won the most recent H2H between these sides back in 2014, although curiously, this will be the first meeting played outside of Cyprus.
New Zealand have now reached the point of no return, with only a win enough to guarantee their progression to the knockout stages after a shock loss to the Philippines. Coach Jitka Klimková described that defeat as “heartbreaking”, but the Football Ferns have no time for soul-searching ahead of their group finale with the Swiss.
Reaching the knockout stage of the WWC is something New Zealand have never managed previously, but having already broken new ground with a maiden victory against Norway earlier in the tournament, Klimková’s side will hope the home crowd can inspire them to make more history. They’ll need a big improvement in performance though, having won just two of their last 14 matches (D2, L10), while they’ve scored just four goals in 11 outings.
Players to watch: Switzerland forward Ramona Bachmann likes to be in the action early; she’s netted all of her last seven goals for club and country before half-time. New Zealand’s Hannah Wilkinson tends to leave it later, scoring four of her last six goals after the interval.
Hot stat: Only one of New Zealand’s last 11 games has seen both sides get on the scoresheet.