In another thrilling round of 16 clash on Saturday, Japan will face off with Norway at Wellington Regional Stadium in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Japan powered a flawless campaign in the group stage, winning all three matches and scoring 11 goals without conceding any. They topped Group C with nine points to remind all and sundry that they are a force to be reckoned with in women’s football.
Norway finished second in Group A, level on four points with New Zealand but the Europeans snatched the spot based on a better goal difference. Norway won only once in the group stage. They lost to New Zealand 1-0 and drew against table-toppers Switzerland but scored the highest number of goals – six.
Both teams have met eight times, with Japan winning five games and Norway three. Japan have won four times and lost once in their last five matches while Norway have won once, drawn twice and lost twice.
The Japanese form no doubt have been amazing and that surely have contributes to some Bookmaker’s decision in awarding them odds of 1.86 to win the game as against that of 4.40 given to their Saturday’s opponent. That makes them the Bookmaker’s favourite for the game.
Knockout games in any competitions are entirely different from group games and this have contributed to our Analysts decision in their predictions of 4 possible outcomes from the game.
PREDICTION:
- Over 2.5 goals