Women's World Cup Group B predictions: Canada look dangerous

Australia are among the top-six in the outright betting for this summer's Women's World Cup and the co-hosts are expected to sail through the group stages on home soil.

Tony Gustavsson's side, who subjected England to their first loss in four years in April, are 1/2 with LiveScore Bet to top Group B ahead of Canada (2/1), Ireland (16/1) and Nigeria (28/1) after making it to the knockout phase in each of the last three Women's World Cups.

Co-hosts look to make use of home advantage

Australia have never made it further than the quarter-finals in the Women's World Cup and the 2023 instalment could be their best chance to surpass that record.

All three of the co-hosts group games are to be played in Australia and they should sail through ties against World Cup debutants Ireland and outsiders Nigeria, which would take the pressure off a potentially tricky final tie with Canada.

They have reason for optimism past that stage, too. They have beaten England and France in friendlies in the past few months and have plenty of experience and talent in their squad, which is captained by Chelsea striker and scorer of 63 international goals Sam Kerr.

Canada going for gold in Group B

Canada won Olympic Gold a few years ago, following it up with a silver medal in the CONCACAF Women's Championship in 2022, and they will be keen to make their mark Down Under.

They haven't had the best of times recently, finishing bottom of the SheBelieves Cup before falling to a friendly loss in France in April. However, they beat Group B favourites Australia twice on their own patch last year and will be confident of returning to form against Ireland and Nigeria.

Canada have made it through the group stages in each of the last two World Cups and can call upon a wealth of experience in their squad, including 40-year-old striker Christine Sinclair, who has made a staggering 323 appearances and scored 190 goals.

Ireland set for World Cup debut

Ireland qualified the 2023 Women's World Cup in dramatic fashion, beating Scotland in Glasgow after goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan stopped a first-half penalty to book their place in their first ever major finals appearance.

However, at 7/2 with LiveScore Bet to qualify from Group B, their chances of an extended stay down under look bleak. They have lost three of their last four games and could lack the quality to trade blows with Australia and Canada.

Nigeria outsiders to replicate 2019 success

Nigeria made it out of the group stages for the first time in four attempts in the 2019 Women's World Cup but they are unlikely to repeat that feat in this iteration.

They have won just one of their last 16 games in this competition and went on a run of six successive defeats last year. They have since regained some form with wins over Costa Rica, Haiti and New Zealand but the step up in quality could prove too much for the 28/1 outsiders.

Group B best bet – Canada to finish top

Australia may be 1/2 favourites to take the top spot but Canada are worth consideration at 2/1 with LiveScore Bet.

Neither side should have any issues breezing past Ireland and Nigeria in their opening two matches, which would set up a straight shootout for top spot when the two sides meet in Melbourne.

Canada beat Australia in Brisbane and Sydney in a pair of friendlies in September and have never lost to the co-hosts, so they have every chance of upsetting the odds to claim first in Group B.

Group B long shots – Nigeria to qualify

Nigeria may be the underdogs in Group B but they have more chance of upsetting the apple cart than tournament debutants Ireland.

Priced at 11/2 to qualify with LiveScore Bet, Nigeria have made it to the knockout rounds twice in their history and did so four years ago in France.

They have star quality in Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala and 23-year-old Rasheedat Ajibade and could spring a surprise.