2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Sleeper Picks
Exactly a month separates us from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and bettors start looking into which squad they fancy in the tournament. When it comes to the odds board, back-to-back champions United States sits on top of the mountain. However, it’s always worth noting that the sleepers are capable of writing a narrative etched in Women’s World Cup history. Everyone loves an underdog tale, and Nitrobetting is here to highlight the top 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup sleeper picks.
Top Sleeper Picks to Win the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
ONE MONTH TO GO! #FIFAWWC | #BeyondGreatness pic.twitter.com/DJ8m1hCuNd
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 20, 2023
READ MORE: 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Favorites
Norway
- 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Odds: +4,400
Topping the dark horses for last year’s European Championships are the Norwegians. The team crashed out of the group stage with a win in three games, including a lopsided battle against England that ended eight goals to nil. A year after, Norway once again replenished its lineup with key pieces, and Hege Riise hoped to get the best of the team in search of a second World Cup title.
If Norway can lead Group A, they take on runners-up of Group C which is most likely Japan. This introduces an early test for the Europeans as they take on former World Cup winners in the Round of 16. Should they get past the Asian unit, Norway can book a date with Group E or Group G’s winners, bringing up the defending champions or perhaps Italy or Argentina of the two pull-off knockout wins.
Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen are the players to watch here. Hegerberg did have a testing 2022-23 run due to injuries but made her return at the right time, scoring four goals in five domestic games before the end of the campaign. Meanwhile, Caroline Graham Hansen is on a level of her own leading up to the competition. There is no stopping forward when she’s firing on all cylinders. After dealing with injury woes last season, Graham Hansen found the back of the net 11 times and a record six assists in Liga F. She also scored two goals and three assists in the Champions League.
Philippines
- 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Odds: +10,000
The Filipinas joined Group A alongside co-hosts New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland in the knockout phase. This is the first time team Philippines qualified for the prestigious tournament. National team head coach Alen Stajcic said in an interview that his squad is the clear sleeper of the bunch, but sees no reason why they can’t put pressure on their European counterparts.
Team Philippines is on a hot streak following a historic title run in the recently-held 2022 AFF Women’s Championship. The team currently ranks 53rd in the world and is up against top-25 teams Norway (12th), Switzerland (21st), and New Zealand (22nd). We anticipate a challenging group stage for the side as they square off against squads who are familiar with the big stage. They need a top-two finish in Group A to secure a knockout spot.
Nonetheless, the World Cup debutants continue to break new ground with an impressive system in place thanks to head coach Stajcic. Ahead of their maiden appearance, goalkeeper Inna Palacios has been a rock for the team. Despite narrowly missing out on the semi-finals of the SEA Games, the Filipinas are pumped to show what they are capable of ahead of the summer. Team Philippines opens its campaign against Switzerland on July 21, 2023.
Nigeria
- 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Odds: +10,000
There are plenty of reasons to be excited about Nigeria’s upcoming 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign. The biggest storyline here is Onome Ebi suiting up for her sixth, and possibly, final World Cup appearance. Although the veteran often faces negative feedback over her ability to play at a high level at this stage of her career, she knows how to block out the noise and provide a veteran presence in the squad.
Ebi has four Women’s Cup of Nations trophies in her portfolio. The defender knows how to operate under pressure and believes this goal of a last-four appearance is achievable. Nigeria has been drawn in Group B with co-hosts, Australia, the Republic of Ireland, and Canada.
Having appeared in every edition of the Women’s World Cup, Nigeria’s best performance to date was in 1999 when they reached the quarter-finals. The previous tournament was one to forget after falling out in the Last 16 in a 3-0 loss to Germany. Nevertheless, the African nation approaches the event in high spirits. Nigeria will strive to force upsets and progress to the knockout stages. They have unparalleled determination, as evidenced by their 11 wins in 14 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations since the tournament’s introduction in 1991.
Randy Waldrum takes the helm in July as Nigeria’s head coach. He has an experienced squad at his disposal, featuring Barcelona’s Asisat Oshoala scoring 21 goals in Spain’s Primera Division this season. Furthermore, Atletico Madrid’s Rasheedat Ajibade is a promising figure expected to make her name in the competition.
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*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.