Qualifying as co-hosts won’t give New Zealand any particular advantage during the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The Football Ferns will be making its sixth appearance at the Women’s World Cup and have yet to win a match during its 15 attempts. New Zealand has never finished higher than 11th place at the event.
Anyone making a New Zealand vs Norway prediction knows the Football Ferns didn’t draw an easy opponent to open up Group A. Norway has a deep and storied World Cup history with Soccer picks. The Grasshoppers won the World Cup in 1995 and reached the semifinals four times. Norway made the quarterfinals during the 2019 version of the event and has high hopes to compete for another top-three finish.
This is the opener of the Women’s World Cup, which will be hosted by both Australia and New Zealand. Typically, the hosts of the World Cup open up every tournament by playing its first game. Australia’s game will follow this matchup when the Matildas host Ireland at 6 a.m.
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Overall Game Info & Outlook
New Zealand vs Norway
Norway is 2-2-2, while New Zealand is 1-1-7
Location: Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand
Date & Time: Thursday, July 20, 2023, 3:00 A.M.
New Zealand vs Norway Betting Preview
New Zealand Preview
The Football Ferns have had a difficult soccer schedule during the friendlies they scheduled to prep for the World Cup. New Zealand decided to test itself by hosting the United States in a pair of games and also taking on strong European teams, Italy and Portugal. The Football Ferns were blanked 9-0 in two games vs the United States and lost 5-0 to Portugal.
New Zealand’s only victory during the recent friendlies was a 2-0 decision over fellow World Cup qualifier Vietnam. Catherine Bott and Jacqueline Hand were both goal scorers for the Football Ferns. Anyone looking at Womens World Cup odds will know this is going to be a tough tournament for New Zealand.
Things have always been an adventure at the World Cup for the Football Ferns. New Zealand, however, has shown improvement during its last two appearances. The Football Ferns had three one-goal defeats in the past two tournaments. In 2015, New Zealand also scored two draws to come away with two points in group play after drawing China and Canada.
Trends:
- New Zealand has lost 12 games and drawn three in its 15 womens world cup matchups.
- The Football Ferns have been shut out in seven of their past nine games.
- New Zealand has allowed three or more goals in four of the past nine games.
Seeing New Zealand win this game would be a tough road. The Football Ferns would have to generate an attack against a defensive-minded side that is used to playing against top-level competition. New Zealand would need to ride the energy of the home crowd to find a way to come up with a victory.
Norway Preview
The Grasshoppers enter the tournament ranked 12th in the world. While Norway isn’t one of the favorites to win the tournament, it will be a difficult Womens World Cup matchup for anyone who faces the Grasshoppers. Norway changed managers following Euros last season and brought in Hege Risse, who plays a more defensive style.
The Grasshoppers are led by captain Maren Mjelde. Ingrid Syrstad Engen, Hanesen, and Ada Hegerber are also key contributors to Norway. Anyone making soccer bets can see the Grasshoppers are an intriguing pick to win. Top oddsmakers’ New Zealand vs Norway prediction will see the Grasshoppers want to keep the score low.
Since winning the Women’s Cup in 1995, Norway has only failed to make it out of the Group Stage once, in 2011. The Grasshoppers have won at least two matches in eight of their nine appearances in the World Cup. Norway has appeared confident in these matchups, outsourcing its opponents by a combined score of 93-52.
Trends
- Norway has scored two or more goals in its past three games.
- The Grasshoppers haven’t been consistent this season, being shut out twice in seven games.
- Norway last played in April.
Norway will be looking to make a statement in this match. While the Grasshoppers aren’t necessarily a team that is going to attack at a high clip, Norway has the firepower to beat up on a lower-potential side. The Grasshoppers will need to find a way to battle the nerves of playing away from home. While New Zealand doesn’t provide much of a threat on the field, playing in front of a home crowd for such a big event could provide a lift.
Top Sportsbooks Odds
BetOnline: Norway -375, New Zealand +1000
Bovada: Norway -375, New Zealand +800
MyBookie: Norway -340, New Zealand +850
BetUS: Norway -350, New Zealand +900
BetNow: N/A
New Zealand vs Norway Odds & Picks
Odds for this Matchup:
| Team | Odds |
| New Zealand | +1000 |
| Norway | -375 |
Recommended Pick:
Making a New Zealand vs Norway prediction and finding value is the real challenge. The Football Ferns are heavy underdogs for good reason. New Zealand doesn’t have the resources to compete on the world stage with the other top soccer powers. Norway has been a consistent qualifier and winner during the tournament.
When it comes to Bovada soccer betting, this is a situation where it is better laying Norway to win by 1.5 goals. It is unlikely that there will be a pre-match moneyline that is worth risking money on. Unless you want to wait and see if New Zealand can shock the world and score first, it’s probably best to bet on this match to see Norway to win by 1.5 goals.
- Pick: Norway to win
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