The two-time defending Women's World Cup champion United States needs only a point in its final group stage match against Portugal with a kick off of 3 a.m. Eastern from Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand on Tuesday to advance to the knockout round of the 2023 tournament. Bettors are split on the Americans to win the match but heavy on Over 2.5 goals scored. Click here for expert picks.
At BetMGM, the USA opened as a -300 favorite but is now -350 while taking 45% of bets and 75% of money. A draw is +900 and taking 42% of bets and 19% of money. On the total of 2.5 goals, 88% of money is on the Over at -120. Note that Unders are dominating so far in this World Cup at 24-13-1 (65%).
The Americans and Netherlands are tied atop Group E with four points, although the USA wins the goal differential tiebreaker currently by two over the Dutch. Those countries drew 1-1 last time out, which snapped the USA's 13-game winning streak at World Cup.
If United States and Dutch both win Tuesday, the top spot will be decided on group goal differential and goals scored. Simply a draw gets the USA through to the knockout round. If the Americans lose, they will not move on if Netherlands draw/win on Tuesday (same start time) vs. Vietnam. The USA has never been eliminated in Women's World Cup group stage play. It is unbeaten in 19 straight World Cup matches (women's record).
While the United States is ranked No. 1 worldwide, Portugal is No. 21 and in its World Cup debut. It advances with a win, and if Portugal draws it can qualify if the Netherlands loses. Portugal cannot qualify if it loses. The USA beat the Portuguese 1-0 in their last meeting in a 2021 friendly in Houston and leads the all-time series 10-0-0 by a combined score of 39-0, although two of the past four have been decided by one goal.
On the props tonight, Alex Morgan to score an anytime goal at +105 is taking heavy action even though the USA superstar hasn't scored in the first two games. She did miss a penalty kick. Both teams to score is taking 92% of bets on YES at +140. Both teams to score NO is 30-8 (79%) in this World Cup.
Lindsey Horan is +175 to score and if she does would become the first player in USWNT history to score a goal in all three group stage matches in a single Women's World Cup. Sophia Smith also has two goals (vs. Vietnam) to co-lead the Americans and is +110 to score tonight.
To win the tournament, the USA is a +275 favorite.
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