The weekend has arrived and so has one of the biggest games of the group stage at the Women's World Cup as Brazil take on France. It should be a cracker, while Sweden are back in action as they strive to make it out of the groups. Here's what Saturday has to offer.
Sweden v Italy
Where: Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
When: 8.30am (BST)/ 9.30pm (NZST)
TV: BBC Two, BBC iPlayer
Referee: Cheryl Foster (Wales)
Last meeting: Sweden 1-1 Italy (2022)
Sweden’s last result: Sweden 2-1 South Africa
Italy’s last result: Italy 1-0 Argentina
Two sides who secured narrow wins in gameweek one will have their eyes on a place in the knockout stage on Saturday. Sweden needed a 90th-minute winner to get past South Africa and the group favourites will hope for a more dominant performance here, as they come up against an Italian side that was fortunate to beat Argentina 1-0. Sweden’s games tend to have goals in, so we could be in for another thriller.
Betfred odds: Sweden ⅘, Draw 11/5, Italy 10/3
Sportsman stat: Five of Sweden's last seven games have produced three goals or more
France v Brazil
Where: Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane
When: 11am (BST)/ 8pm (AEST)
TV: BBC One, BBC iPlayer
Referee: Kate Jacewicz (Australia)
Last meeting: France 2-1 Brazil (2022)
France’s last result: France 0-0 Jamaica
Brazil’s last result: Brazil 4-0 Panama
Arguably the game of the group stage takes place on Saturday as two heavyweights collide in France and Brazil. French boss Herve Renard may have overseen one of the greatest shocks of all time at the men’s World Cup in December when his Saudi Arabia side beat eventual champions Argentina, but he was on the receiving end of a monumental shock in France’s opener here. Jamaica, despite going down to 10 late on, held on to secure a famous World Cup point. It’s thrown this group up in the air, and France now know they need to beat Brazil to stand any realistic chance of topping the group. It should be a thriller.
Betfred odds: France 8/5, Draw 2/1, Italy 8/5
Sportsman stat: Brazil have never beaten France. Ever.
Panama v Jamaica
Where: Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth
When: 1.30pm (BST)/ 8.30pm (AWST)
TV: ITV1, ITVX
Referee: Kateryna Monzul (Ukraine)
Last meeting: Jamaica 3-1 Panama (2015)
Jamaica’s last result: France 0-0 Jamaica
Panama’s last result: Brazil 4-0 Panama
Betfred odds: Panama 9/2, Draw 9/4, Jamaica 8/13
Jamaica’s stunning showing in their opening match saw them register their first ever World Cup point, however they will be without the talismanic Bunny Shaw after her late dismissal. That could be a key blow to the Reggae Girlz but they still should have enough to get past minnows Panama, who were blown away by Brazil in their opener.
Sportsman stat: Panama have lost each of their last three games, conceding 16 goals without scoring.
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