Servus Syndicate Members,
The “Blitz Phase” is upon us. Your friendly bookie always loves it. 96 hours to shed eight teams. No team has been officially eliminated. In the event you’re wondering how in the hell Thailand could squeak through to the knockouts, it’s actually not that futile.
All they need to do is beat Chile, hope that Cameroon draws New Zealand, Argentina draws Scotland, and Jamaica, South Korea, and South Africa all lose.
Okay…maybe you can strike them off the list. In any event, rest assured that your friendly bookie keeps all the permutations in mind. The 24-team-tournament structures do make for exciting third rounds. Don’t miss out. Four of the six third-placed make it through, meaning there will be plenty of late drama. At least one team will probably make it through on goal differential. One can thus anticipate a high scoring round.
We’ve got all the lines and final group projections below. Joining the bookie to present the lines its….someone who’s actually not dead. Eniola Aluko is not only the hottest studio analyst covering the tournament this year, she’s also a fearless tactical commentator.
One of your friendly bookie’s all time faves. Miss seeing you on the pitch, girl. Guess I'll have to watch some Juventus games....or maybe not.
Monday, June 17th
Group B Final Kickoff @ 18:00 (UTC +2)
So teams always play to win, correct? Not necessarily. See Germany vs. Austria in the 1982 World Cup Group Phase; the infamous “Gijon Game”. Unlike the German team in that tournament, my Mädels will definitely be playing to win tomorrow. Don’t know if I can say the same about the Spaniards.
Here’s the problem: Second place in this group very likely comes with the prize of getting to face the Americans in Reims next Monday. Congratulations! The Spanish women would do well to deliberately throw this game and hope to advance as one of the third-paced teams. A draw does them no good as they’d still place second thanks to goal differential.
They’d stand an excellent chance of getting to the Quarterfinals if they placed third, likely facing Italy or Australia; teams they can beat. While it’s true that La Roja desperately wish to atone for their group stage exit four years ago, they almost don’t need more than the three points they already have here to advance.
What shall we see?
Deutschland vs. South Africa
vs.
Dzsenifer Maroszan remains unavailable for this one and possibly the rest of the tournament. Bookie foresees Voss-Tecklenburg starting both Oberdorf and Bühl in the hopes of getting them some confidence. We might even see Lea Schüller as there’s very little danger of losing the group here. I also anticipate a new centerback pairing. Possibly Doorsoun and Schweers or Hegering and Gößling. Whatever we see should be the system for the duration as there will be no more experimental matches.
I very much liked making the acquaintance of the Banyana and still feel they were very hard done by in that atrocious penalty call in the first match. That being said, it’s goodbye to them here as Desiree Ellis will play some of the reserves. Looking forward to catching up with the men’s team next weekend.
THE LINE: Deutschland +2 Goals
China PR vs. Spain
vs.
I don’t think Jorge Vilda or his players will deliberately dump it, merely bide their time in that possession-focused 4-5-1 of theirs. They’ll allow the Steel Roses every chance they wish to take the match, only pressing for a late winner if no one appears in the mood. Jia Xiuquan will not concern himself with the long-con. He’ll Start Yang Li, Li Ying, and Wang Shanshan up high in an unconcealed 4-3-3.
The Chinese have nothing to lose but the chains on their hands and feet…..as the commie saying goes. They were eliminated by the U.S. four years ago and actually want to face them again. U.S. players can scout their Round-of-16-opponent.
THE LINE: China PR +1 Goal
Initial Group Projection (5/26/2019)
1) Deutschland 2) Spain 3) China PR 4) South Africa
Final Group Projection (6/16/2018)
(2 to 1 Odds for Bookie)
1) Deutschland 2) China PR 3) Spain 4) South Africa
Group A Final Kickoff @ 21:00 (UTC +2)
The “Bookie’s Tip Special”, revealed uncharacteristically early in the first group preview section, did not materialize. The Norwegian Grasshoppers have a decent side after all. Additionally, I really thought we’d see more from the Taeguk Nanja. Yoon Deok-Yoo had so many returning players and emerging stars that I falsely assumed he would build an effective lineup.
T’wasn’t to be. There’s nevertheless room for at least one more surprise.
France vs. Nigeria
vs.
We’ve effectively seen Corrine Diacre’s best eleven. The system received some tweaking in the Norway match, but nothing truly obfuscating. She can’t afford to take risks here as the nation will be counting on a big win. Diani returns to her role as a false 9. Cascarino starts. Gauvin back to the bench. Up the right flank all night long.
As much as I loved the second round performance of my Super Falcons, I’m unconvinced they’ll be able to hold their resolve here. Dennerby has them too nervous and Okobi can’t expect to get past Thiney and Bussaglia. Ayinde or Uchendu. It doesn’t matter. No one’s getting through, and the left is shaky.
THE LINE: France +2 Goals
South Korea vs. Norway
vs.
The sides are more evenly matched then one might expect. Deok-Yeo’s second match adjustments worked well until Nigerian athleticism broke down what looked like a pretty-disciplined 4-5-1 diamond. The Norwegians obviously have more offensive weapons, but the prospect of a Moon Mi-Ra-Ji So-Hyun-Lee Guem-Min axis is intimidating in its own right.
Deok-Yeo appears headed in that direction and Herlovsen appears down a tick. Could be a high-scoring one here. Bookie tips a shoot-out draw.
THE LINE: Pick em’
Initial Group Projection (5/23/2019)
1) France 2) South Korea 3) Nigeria 4) Norway
Final Group Projection (6/16/2018)
(2 to 1 Odds for Bookie)
1) France 2) Norway 3) Nigeria 4) South Korea
Tuesday, June 18th
Group C Final Kickoff @ 21:00 (UTC +2)
The “Group of Life” certainly didn’t disappoint and it’s headed for a fantastic finish. The Aussies get one final chance for a convincing win while a surprisingly spirited Brazilian team can still technically make a legitimate bid for top of the group.
Plenty for all the involved actors to play. We’ll witness loads of hotfooted heart. For his part, the bookie sees some semblance of order being restored as this one closes out.
Jamaica vs. Australia
vs.
Milicic sticks with his system, or so the second round would have us believe. I rather think we’ll see some drastic changes here. He has to get Sam Kerr off and running somehow and the only way to accomplish this will be by moving her to the right and deploying Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso up front alongside her.
The fullbacks will be instructed to go for broke. The Matildas need this worse than Khadija Shaw needs a new nickname. As tempting as might be to think the Reggae Girlz can salvage some pride, even the team’s “ringers” look unqualified to compete on this level.
Aussie rout.
THE LINE: Australia +3 Goals
Italy vs. Brazil
vs.
Bookie sees no impediment to a victory for the “tournament sweethearts”. No sense in resting the regulars if the Matildas are going to try to run up the score. Bertolini apparently couches her 4-3-3 until around the hour mark. That should be just enough time to wear down this Samba Queen side suffering from injuries, fitness, and suspension.
The bookie did attempt to give the Brazilians a fair shake in the dailies. A few minutes or so in I had to stop myself and ask if I was really searching for a replacement for…..Formiga? Really, Vicey?
No, no, no. Vadao’s girls are Odebrecht bad.
THE LINE: Italy +2 Goals
Initial Group Projection (5/28/2019)
1) Australia 2) Brazil 3) Italy 4) Jamaica
Final Group Projection (6/16/2018)
(Straight Up Odds for Bookie)
1) Italy 2) Australia 3) Brazil 4) Jamaica
Wednesday, June 19th
Group D Final Kickoff @ 21:00 (UTC +2)
A disappointing letdown in the second round of fixtures in this group. Somehow even major squad changes didn’t keep all four of the teams from looking drained after the first round of play.
Plenty for Japan and England to play for here as this group’s runner-up will have to face the topper of the Group of death. The Scottish lasses fight for their lives. They need both a win and a surfeit of goals.
Japan vs. England
vs.
Back to business as usual for Phil Neville and the Lionesses. Time to re-insert the spine of the team, hoping that they haven’t accumulated any rust. On the other side, Takakura will likely keep making changes to her 2023 prospect squad. I’ve given the Japanese manager the full treatment in the dailies.
Do note that your friendly bookie griped similarly about Hajime Moriyasu’s striker deployments less than six months ago in the AFC Championship. That Japan team went on to make the final.
THE LINE: England +1 Goal
Scotland vs. Argentina
vs.
It’s tempting to pick an upset here as the Scots looked completely gassed in their second round encounter, but they’re surely not as gassed as the Argentines, who have to come apart at some point. I think the Hilandresses pull it off with a breakout performance from Cuthbert, Weir, and Arnot.
Deploy the kiddos up there in a triangle, Shelley. They can do it! Just make sure they rack up the goals before Mariana Larroquette comes on and clotheslines one of them.
THE LINE: Scotland +2 Goals
Initial Group Projection (5/31/2019)
1) England 2) Japan 3) Scotland 4) Argentina
Final Group Projection (6/16/2018)
(Straight Up Odds for Bookie)
1) England 2) Japan 3) Scotland 4) Argentina
Thursday, June 20th
Group E Final Kickoff @ 18:00 (UTC +2)
A top table clash of the titans and scrap at the bottom. This group’s close promises to be the most entertaining. The Dutch and Canadians must fight hard to top the group if they wish to attain favorable seeding and avoid the pesky Swedes in the Round of 16.
The Football Ferns believe the knockouts may be within their grasp for the first time ever while the Indomitables shall do whatever it takes to at least equal their 2015 performance.
The Netherlands vs. Canada
vs.
A large chunk of the Day Nine Recap was devoted to studying how these two stacked programs are in reality underachieving significantly. It all comes down to tactics as the lineups that have been used are evenly matched.
Bookie’s money is on Sarina Wiegman and the “real” female Messi Lieke Martens. This one’s a prime-time transatlantic battle between two very different kinds of women’s football. All of the Canadian players were educated in U.S. Schools and play in the U.S. League. All the Dutch players are products of European academies.
Insofar as the bookie is concerned. This might as well be Germany vs. USA. Strap in, gentlemen.
THE LINE: The Netherlands +1 Goal
Cameroon vs. New Zealand
vs.
Much better from the Lady Indomitables in the second match. At least they had a plan of attack with Enganamouit in a cogent 4-2-3-1. They know they need victory by a wide margin here to keep their slim hopes of advancing alive and will press high and hard from the get-go. They’ll be vulnerable as all hell on the counter.
The Football Ferns may not provide much of a counter. Their strength remains in the collective. The team, though in its final throes, does possess many players familiar with one another to remain coordinated defensively
Could predict a draw here, but I see the Lions stealing one late. Unfortunately, it won’t be enough to get them through.
THE LINE: Cameroon +1 Goal
Initial Group Projection (6/1/2019)
1) Canada 2) The Netherlands 3) Cameroon 4) New Zealand
Final Group Projection (6/16/2018)
(3 to 1 Odds for Bookie)
1) The Netherlands 2) Canada 3) Cameroon 4) New Zealand
Group F Final Kickoff @ 21:00 (UTC +2)
The last group should shake out exactly as expected, right down to narrow Swedish formation getting torn apart by the best female footballing side ever assembled. Your friendly bookie has gone deep with the research this year. With respect to the USWNT, consider him Nate Silver….before Trump, that is.
I know you guys want a formidable opponent. It a’int the Swedes. You’ll simply have to wait.
USA vs. Sweden
vs.
It won’t be competitive. Bookie’s telling you it won’t be competitive. Forget about the 2-1 defeat in the 2011 Group Stage. That was Pia Sunhage’s team way back in the days of Shannon Boxx, Amy LePeilbet, Amy Rodriguez, and Rachel Buehler.
Purge your mind of the nil-nil draw four years ago. That one was a tactical disaster with Rapinoe told to stay back, Morgan Brian on double marking defensive duty, and Sydney Leroux instructed to…well…bookie still hasn’t figured out what she was instructed to do in that tournament, or indeed what she was doing at all.
None of those issues exist here. Ellis has learned her lessons. Rapinoe shall never be told to do another damn thing ever again. There’s no one on this Swedish team to mark. Sydney Leroux—whom I’ve always liked—is pumping out Dom Dwyer’s babies. Good for her.
It won’t be close. The Swedes truly suck. Brace yourselves for another “Did the bookie effing well tell you or what” section in the dailies.
THE LINE: USA +3 Goals
Chile vs. Thailand
vs.
Here’s a surprise for you. Chaba Kaew will exit on a high note. They deserve it. As much as I love Christiane Endler, she is the team. They don’t have a scoring threat. The Thais do. We’ll look forward to seeing both of these program again in four-years-time.
THE LINE: Thailand +1 Goal
Initial Group Projection (6/3/2019)
1) USA 2) Sweden 3) Thailand 4) Chile
Final Group Projection (6/16/2018)
(2 to 1 Odds for Bookie)
1) USA 2) Sweden 3) Thailand 4) Chile
GENTLEMEN, ENTER YOUR WAGERS
