Chile v Sweden
This is the first World Cup Chile have qualified for, and they could very well find themselves seriously outclassed by a strong Swedish outfit.
Warm-up results have been concerning for a start off – losing to Germany in May was no disgrace, but they drew 1-1 and lost 2-0 to Colombia (both at home) and prior to that lost 7-0 in Holland. Other results in 2019 have included a 1-1 draw with Scotland, and a 3-2 and 1-0 defeat in Jamaica, plus a 2-1 defeat to Italy. This will be their first meeting with Sweden, but other matches against European sides have yielded a WDL recod of 1-2-12 and they have a -31 goal difference in those matches.
Sweden have the heritage in the Womens game, having finished runners-up in 2003, and 3rd place in 1991 and 2011. Recently things have been on the wane somewhat, but a runners-up finish in the 2016 Olympics and a 2013 semi-final in the Euros suggest they aren’t done yet. Having qualified in style (conceding just twice in eight matches) they should get off to a good start and Chile do look ripe for the picking here – with no obvious goalscorers lurking to peg back the Swedish onslaught.
We’re taking Sweden (-2) in this one at 11/8
1pt Sweden (-2) to beat Chile at 11/8 (General)