South Africa and China are both aiming to get their Women’s World Cup campaigns up and running when they face off at Parc des Princes on Thursday night.
It looked like a shock was potentially on the cards for South Africa, who led Spain 1-0 until the 70th minute but ended up losing 3-1, whilst China were perhaps unlucky to go down 1-0 to Germany.
Latest Odds
888Sport make the Steel Roses 11/25 (1.44) to bounce back with a win after their narrow defeat to one of the tournament favourites.
It is 7/1 (8.0) that South Africa manage to pull off the upset of the competition so far whilst the draw, which would not be the desirable result for either team, can be backed at 13/4 (4.25).
Gene Sweeney Jr.
Team News
Lou Jiahui is set to miss out after being injured in the first half against Germany but otherwise China are likely to field the same team that held Germany for over an hour.
Nothando Vilakazi is suspended after being sent off against Spain. Thembi Kgatlana should lead the line again after her stunning opener in that fixture and is 9/2 (5.50) to score anytime on Thursday.
Preview
Despite eventually losing to Germany, China looked extremely organised at the back and it took a 20-yard thunderbolt from teenager Giulia Gwinn to break the resistance.
Jia Xiuquan’s side forced their opponents into shooting from long range, allowing them just four shots on target all afternoon from 16 total attempts, and will look for similar solidity against South Africa.
Banyana Banyana offered just five shots in their loss to Spain and mustered just 27 per cent possession, and another backs-to-the-wall performance could be on the cards for them here.
Tips and Predictions
South Africa to score under 0.5 goals is priced at 41/50 (1.82) but the 27/25 (2.08) quote on China to win to nil looks the way to go in Paris.
As well as an impressive defensive effort against Germany, the Steel Roses offered plenty going forward and should have enough to see off their opponents on Thursday.
China to win to nil at 27/25 (2.08) for a 2pt stake with 888Sport
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