Most of the premier soccer league seasons all over the world are already done. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t catch some world-class soccer action anymore. The upcoming 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup gives us a fix of high-level international soccer to keep us entertained. Unlike their men’s counterparts, the USWNT aren’t just lovable underdogs. They’re the big favorites to win the World Cup with their otherworldly talent. There’s also dominant Germany, who may have just enough talent to topple the favorites.
Raring to have a go at the Women’s World Cup? Check out our collection of experts picks below to aid in your picks. You can also dig deeper into this tournament with our complete preview and predictions here.
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Experts Picks for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Bleacher Report
Expert
Prediction
Matt Jones
Germany
Mark Buckingham
USA
Matt Jones of Bleacher Report believes that USA are the most talented squad in the tournament. But their recent failure in the 2011 World Cup, where they succumbed to Japan in penalties, should leave some sort of psychological scars. Thus, Jones is picking Germany to follow their men’s counterparts in winning the World Cup.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]The Germans have a relatively easy group that’ll have them qualifying for the knockout rounds with ease. The knockout rounds may not be a breeze with injuries to key players Nadine Kessler and Luisa Wensing, though.
Germany still have plenty of talent with the defensive partering of Annike Krahn and Babett Peter solidifying the back line. There’s also veteran forward Anja Mittag’s goal-scoring prowess. Mittag has 33 goals in 120 caps for Germany.
But another Bleacher Report featured columnist, Mark Buckingham, believes that USA are a very strong and deep team. Once the USWNT get into the knockout stage, they should get rolling toward their third World Cup title.
Latin Post
Expert
Prediction
Damon Salvadore
Brazil
Brazil always have high expectations because of the nation’s rich soccer history. Damon Salvadore of Latin Post is high on the Brazilian women to win their first ever World Cup. Thankfully, they have the amazing forward Marta Vieira da Silva powering their attack. Marta is the leading goal-scorer in Women’s World Cup history with 14 goals to her name. Brazil have a very favorable Group E with 14th ranked Spain as their biggest challenge. The Canarinhas should have enough to blow by their opposition on the way to the knockout stages.
Think Brazil can power through to win their first ever Women’s World Cup? Create a betting account now and get in on these Canarinhas.
Mashable
Expert
Group A Winner
Group B Winner
Group C Winner
Group D Winner
Group E Winner
Group F Winner
Matt Laird
Canada
Germany
Japan
USA
Brazil
France
Mashable doesn’t have a prediction on who wins the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup outright, but they do have picks for each group’s winner. Matt Laird picked all the respective top-ranked teams to win their groups. But he does cast some doubt in the USA’s form. The USWNT are the favorites to win their third Women’s World Cup despite their sluggish form, nagging injuries and disorder in all-world goalie Hope Solo’s personal life. They’re also in this year’s “Group of Death” with Nigeria, Sweden and Australia, who are all ranked in the top 10 of FIFA’s world rankings.
There’s plenty going on behind-the-scenes in the USWNT. But Laird believes that the Americans have too much firepower to lose their group. They also should have laser-like focus especially after their dramatic defeat in the final of the 2011 World Cup.
