Germany vs China
After weeks of waiting the FIFA Women’s World Cup is finally here, and on Saturday, there’s a blockbuster start to Group B as Germany meets China.
Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s Germany is aiming for a third Women’s World Cup title and must be fancied to make a winning start against their opponents from China. At 2nd in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings Germany should still be around at the business end of the competition, which is more than can be said for their men’s team back in Russia 2018!
Germany and China are joined by Spain and outsiders South Africa in Group B, and this opener will give the winner a great chance of progressing in the competition. Jia Xiuquan’s China will be no pushover, ranked 15th in the world but with an attacking threat to test the dependable German defence.
Hosts France open up the tournament against Korea on Friday night, and then we have four weeks to watch the best women players on the planet; and SBOBET Asian Handicap Sports Betting is a great way to join in the fun. So we’ll be here, with all of the big Women’s World Cup 2019 news and the very best highlights as the drama unfolds.
It’s all happening this summer for football fans, with the UEFA Nations League coming to a climax, and the African Cup of Nations and Copa America just around the corner, so buckle up and enjoy the ride!
Talking Points
Germany has a point to prove
Voss-Tecklenburg has a powerful team capable of taking on the best, as its second ranking in the world proves. But the reigning Olympic Champions haven’t fared so well in other competitions recently, failing to make the final four at the 2017 European Championships and finishing rock bottom in last year’s SheBelieves Cup.
That disappointment in the USA saw the end of head coach Steffi Jones and Voss-Tecklenburg took over. She has the pedigree, with 125 caps for Germany, and has done a good job as boss of the Switzerland team.
The team is spearheaded by Wolfsburg striker Alexandra Popp, while Lyon midfield star Dzsenifer Marozsan will pull the strings. Popp has 46 goals in 96 international games, and scored 13 in 20 Bundesliga matches last season. She is a physical presence sure to test the Chinese defence. Marozan has 32 goals in 90 internationals and, as consistently the best player, has been named captain.
Peng is in Popp’s line of fire
China’s last line of defence is the impressive Peng Shimeng, who at the age of 19 became her country’s first choice stopper at the 2018 Asian Cup. She kept 15 clean sheets in 23 appearances last season and was named goalkeeper of the season in China.
Jia Xiuguan has a limited pool of players to select from but can rely on star striker Wang Shuang. The PSG player will be partnered up front by Wang Shanshan who had a superb time at the Asian Games, top scoring with 12 goals. This partnership will give Germany a good test for sure. But China isn’t in a rich vein of form so they need a quick start in France.
History
Germany is the only nation to retain the Women’s World Cup as victors in both 2003 and 2007; and they finished in fourth place at the 2015 World Cup in Canada.
China has not been at the top of world football for a while, but last season came close to winning a first Asian Cup since 2007, losing to a last gasp Japan goal in the final. Xiuguan is tasked with bringing back the glory days of the 1990’s when the China team earned the nickname ‘Iron Rose’ after finishing second in both the 1996 Olympic Games and the 1999 World Cup.
The head to heads don’t look too encouraging for the Chinese though, they haven’t won in nine attempts against Germany, losing the last six. Neither does recent form; Germany is unbeaten in 12 while China has lost four of the last five.
Betting Tip
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Germany vs China | Germany -1.50 @1.88 |
| June 08, 21:00(GMT+8) |
The Germany vs China betting odds suggest Voss-Tecklenburg’s side should successfully pass its first test, with odds of 1.27 while the draw is 5.40 and a China win is out there at 6.60.
The attacking threat of Shuan and Shanshang is good enough to stretch any defence, though the German team can be formidable and is in a good run of form. With a point to prove I don’t expect the Germans to slip up in their opener and a win will put them in charge of Group B.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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