Soccer Betting: How Will The Republic Of Ireland Fare At The Women’s World Cup?

Canada manager Bev Priestman has urged her side to “move onto the next match” after a hugely disappointing 0-0 draw against Nigeria in their opening match of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

The Canucks need a quick improvement if they’re to reach the knockout stages for a third successive tournament, although their recent form has been worrying, winning just one of their last six matches.

That might provide some hope to opponents Ireland who are underdogs with betting sites, they lost 1-0 in their opening group game against tournament co-hosts Australia. 

That was a fourth defeat in six internationals for Vera Pauw’s side (W1, D1), but she remains confident that they have what it takes to bounce back, insisting they have shown they “can play against the best teams in the world.”

Ireland Have Experienced Head At The Helm For World Cup Debut

However, team manager Vera Pauw did guide her native Netherlands to the semi-final of the European Championships in 2009 and she also coached South Africa at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. 

She assumed the Irish reins in September 2019 just over two months on from the sudden departure of her predecessor Colin Bell, who will be in charge of South Korea at this year’s tournament.

While her first qualifying campaign – for the delayed European Championships that were eventually held in England last summer – ended in disappointment, Ireland have become extremely difficult to beat under her watch and a number of impressive group stage victories helped them to advance into that aforementioned play-off showdown with the Scots.

Irish Come Into The Tournament As Underdogs

Though they have grown accustomed to defying expectations at this point, it comes as little surprise that football betting sites have Ireland well down the list of potential World Cup winners. 

From the 32 teams that will be competing at the tournament, Pauw’s charges are rated a very unlikely side to emerge triumphant.

In stark contrast to the odds of 5/2 on the USA securing the World Cup crown for a third time in succession, Ireland’s chances of ultimate victory are 500/1.

Canada Expected To Overcome The Girls In Green

Given Canada are fancied to progress from the group at the World Cup – and are rated at 66/1 with Bet365 – it certainly isn’t a shock to discover that they are expected to prevail in Group B’s second game on Wednesday.

Bookies are all offering odds of 8/11 on Canada coming out on top in Perth, while some are setting an even shorter value of 4/6 on Canada coming away with all three points.

By comparison, the shortest odds on Ireland pulling a win out of the bag are 9/2 and the longest odds available on such a scenario are 11/2. 

Reaching The Last-Eight Not Out Of The Question For Ireland

Making it into the knockout rounds of the World Cup at their first attempt would be a considerable feat and it would be even more monumental if they matched the achievements of their male counterparts at the 1990 finals in Italy by making it to the quarter-finals.

Ladbrokes are giving odds of 20/1 on Ireland reaching the last-eight, though they might well have to get past current European champions England in order to do so.

It's paramount that Ireland get a result in the crunch match against Canada on Wednesday if they are to progress from Group B though.