Australia Women v Italy Women Predictions & Betting Odds – 9th June 2019

Australia Women v Italy Women Betting Tips – Women’s World Cup 2019, 9th June 12.00pm

Australia will be looking to Sam Kerr to lead them deep into the tournament at France 2019. In each of the last three editions of the women’s World Cup Australia have made quarter-final exits. To open with they will be taking on Italy will have done a good job recently of closing the gap on the elite in the game. Read our predictions for Australia Women v Italy Women.

Australia Women v Italy Women Betting Odds*

Australia 4/6
Draw 14/5
Italy 5/1
* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on June 6th, 2019 at 6:32 p.m.)

Australia Women News and Form

Australia found themselves in a good bit of form earlier this year as they posted four straight wins. Part of that sequence was three successes at the Cup of Nations where they beat New Zealand, South Korea and Argentina. They put themselves into action against tougher opposition ahead of the Women’s World Cup 2019, losing back-to-back friendly fixtures against the USA (who are the reigning world champions), and the Netherlands who are the reigning European champions. Australia are at W4 L3 in their last seven games. Australia conceded a goals in total of eight in their two friendly defeats against the USA and the Netherlands.

Sam Kerr first goalscorer

4/1

Betfair

But one feature of Australia’s game is positive attack. Leading the line for them is Sam Kerr, who is one of the elite strikers in the world with a formidable scoring record behind her. They have somebody who has enormously reliable in front of goal if they can get the ball to her. She is a huge asset for the Matildas. Australia have scored at least two goals in six of their last seven games and the only game in which they didn’t in that sequence, was in a 3-0 loss against Netherlands in their final warm up match. Australia do also have a Mary Fowler, who is only 16 and if she gets on the pitch she will become the youngest ever player to appear at a World Cup, men’s and women’s.

Italy Women News and Form

There has been good progress made from Italy over the last year or so. They are going to enjoy a big summer because it has been two decades since they last lined up in a World Cup. So this is the big reward for the development which they have gone through and Italy, aside from a penalty shootout at the Cyprus Women’s Cup this year, have remained undefeated through 2019. It was a straightforward qualification campaign that Italy produced, getting off to a flying start of winning seven of their first eight games. One negative against them is that Italy have not earned a clean sheet in any of their last five games. They have still managed to pick up a victory in seven of their last nine played.

So they are making good progress and closing the gap on the elite in the game. So much so that they stand a good chance of actually qualifying from this group, potentially at the expense of Brazil who are well out of sorts at the moment. Italy are carrying a young midfield for this World Cup campaign, but that in itself as a positive sign for the future. They have plenty of experience though to compensate in the frontline including 29-year-old Cristiana Girelli. They also have one of the best wingers in the world in Barbara Bonansea who will be a handful for any defence that she comes up against in this tournament.

Australia Women v Italy Women Tips & Odds

Both teams to score at 8/11
Australia to win and both teams to score 9/4
* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on June 6th, 2019 at 6:32 p.m.)

Australia Women v Italy Women Predictions

Australia to win: this has the look of being a thoroughly entertaining open game, with Italy on the rise. It is worth considering both teams getting on the scoresheet in the fixture, but the extra quality and experience that Australia have in their ranks should win out on the day. Straight win and both teams to score.