Chris Falic
FOX Sports Betting Expert
“Bear Bets” are actual bets that Chris “The Bear” Fallica is actually placing.
The 2023 Women’s World Cup is heating up as we head into the second week of group play, and you can catch all the action on FOX and the FOX Sports App.
As for the bets on these matches, I’ll give you my best daily bets for these matchups throughout the tournament. Basically, if I see an advantage and bet on it, I’ll share it. I want us all to win!
I believe in transparency, which is why my record for best tournament bets currently stands at 8-6, +$50. This is based on my bet amounts, and each will win $100. But remember, you can always bet any amount you feel comfortable with.
Let’s dive into the fun with a couple of bets I’m making for the 7th.
Japan against Costa Rica, 1 a.m. ET Wednesday, FS1 and the FOX Sports App
Japan Win and Under 3.5 goals (-105)
The million dollar question is what to make of Japan’s dominant performance against Zambia (5-0). Was it a case of really good Japan versus really poor Zambia, or a bit of both? I suppose it was a bit of both, considering that Japan could have had more than the five they contributed, since VAR disallowed two goals.
That said, it was still 0-0 until the 43rd minute, with the fifth goal coming from a penalty in the 11th minute of second-half stoppage time.
The thing is, how much resistance will Costa Rica offer here? He didn’t have much possession of the ball against Spain, but he actually did very well to keep it 3-0 by not conceding a goal in the last 63 minutes of the game.
My best guess is that Japan falls back just a bit in attack, but still does enough to comfortably win something like 2-0 or 3-0.
NATIONAL TEAM: Japan win and under 3.5 goals (bet $10 to win $19.52 total)
RELATED: Where USWNT can improve ‘finishing’
Spain against Zambia, 3:30 a.m. ET Wednesday, FS1 and the FOX Sports App
Spain More than 4.5 goals (-140)
Zambia easily had the worst group stage performance, and it’s not likely to improve here when they take on Spain, who had their best group stage performance so far. It really is baffling how Zambia beat Germany 3-2 just a little over two weeks ago.
Making matters worse than just the goal-kicking effort in a 5-0 loss to Japan, the team’s backup goalkeeper Catherine Musonda, who was pushed into the starting lineup, received two yellow cards, so she’s out for the Spain game. As a result, Zambia will have their third goalkeeper facing a Spanish team that had 4.1 expected goals, 77% possession and 45 attempts in a 3-0 win over Costa Rica.
Good luck to Zambia…you will need it.
NATIONAL TEAM: Spain Over 4.5 Goals (Bet $10 to Win $17.14 Total)
Is this the HARDEST World Cup for the USWNT?
Alexi Lalas, Stu Holden and Heather O’Reilly discuss whether this is the toughest World Cup for the USWNT at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Canada against Republic of Ireland, 8 a.m. Wednesday, FOX and the FOX Sports App
Republic of Ireland or draw (+130)
Canada had a huge statistical advantage over Nigeria in the opener, but the Canucks couldn’t really register much in the final third of the match as Nigeria really focused on making sure they held on for the tie after Christine Sinclair missed a penalty.
Canada now have one win, four losses and one draw in their last six matches and have scored just four goals in those matches. So the inability to get three points against Nigeria is little more than an exception.
A clumsy penalty cost Ireland a point against a Sam Kerr-less Australia team, and there were a number of instances in the match where Ireland looked like the more dangerous team. This was especially true in the second half, when he had seven corners to just one for Australia, but was unable to convert for an equaliser.
If Ireland can pick up a point here, they have a royal path to the knockout round, as Canada would have to beat Australia in the third group game if Ireland were to beat Nigeria.
With Katie McCabe and Denise O’Sullivan in midfield I think Ireland have a real chance to win and it will make it extremely difficult for Canada to get all three points here.
PICK: Republic of Ireland or Tie (bet $10 to win $23 total)
Chris “The Bear” Fallica has covered sports for nearly three decades. While college football has been his focus, he also enjoys the NFL, soccer, golf, tennis, MLB, NHL, and horse racing, with an “occasional” bet on such events. Chris recently won the inaugural Circa Football Invitational and finished in the Top 10 of the Golden Nugget Football Contest. He is a multiple time qualifier for the NHC Handicapping Championship. Remember, “The less you bet, the more you lose when you win!” Follow him on Twitter @chrysphalic.
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