Australia vs France Prediction: End of the road for Australia

Australia and France go to battle for a place in the Semi Final of the tournament. Both clubs have been outstanding throughout the tournament until this stage. Australia had 2 wins and 1 defeat in their group game and defeated Denmark in the Knockout stages to make it to the Quarterfinals. While France had 2 wins and 1 draw in the group stages, before seeing off Morocco in the Knockout stages. Australia and France are familiar with each other’s game as they have faced each other 4 times in the past, with both sides winning twice.

Australia have certainly exceeded expectations to get to this stage in the tournament and there is serious confidence that the team can still progress against a very solid France team. Australia won 3 of their last 4 games in the competition, and lost once against Nigeria in the group stages. Australia have scored 9 goals and conceded 3 goals in all 4 matches in the competition. They scored an average of 2.3 goals per game with a conversion rate of 15%. Australian forward Hayley Raso currently leads the line with 3 goals, while Caitlin Foord has 2 assists so far in the tournament.

Australia played against Denmark in the Knockout stage and they won the game 2-0 in regulation time. Caitlin Foord scored the opening goal for Australia in the 29th minute and in the 70th minute Hayley Raso doubled their lead to give them a comfortable 2-0 victory. Australia were second best in the game according to statistics, as they had 44% possession, 3 shots on target and 4 corner kicks.

Team streak: Less than 2.5 goals (5/7), first to score (5/6), less than 4.5 cards (10/10), less than 10.5 corners (7/9).

Starting XI

Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Stephanie Catley, Hayley Raso, Katrina Gorry, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Emily Van Egmond.

France has been almost perfect in the tournament as they won 3 of their 4 games in the tournament, drawing one game against Jamaica in the opening game. They won their quarterfinals game against Morocco 4-0. France has scored 12 goals and conceded 4 goals in 4 matches in the competition. They scored an average of 3.0 goals per game and they have a conversion rate of 16%. French forward Kadidiatou Diani leads the line with 4 goals, with Eugenie Le Sommer behind with 3 goals for the team. Kadidiatou Diani also has 3 assists to her name in the tournament.

France showed their class in the 4-0 win over Morocco in the previous round. Kadidiatou Diani, Kenza Dali and Eugenie Le Sommer all scored in the first half to give them a 3-0 lead. And in the 70th minute, Eugenie scored her second to end the game 4-0. France dominated the proceedings taking 75% possession, 5 shots on target and 0 corner kicks in the game.

Team streak: wins (3), no losses (4), more than 2.5 goals (6/8), less than 4.5 cards (8/9).

Starting XI

Pauline Peyraud Magnin, Eve Perisset, Wendie Renard, Elisa de Almeida, Sakina Karchaoui, Kenza Dali, Grace Geyoro, Sandie Toletti, Selma Bacha, Eugenie Le Sommer, Kadidiatou Diani.

Australia and France have faced each other 4 times in the past. And according to the records, both sides won 2 games each.

Both teams have been excellent in the preceding stages leading to this stage and they deserve to be here in the competition. Australia exceeded expectations in the previous round and they will have accomplished a great feat despite the result of this round. Both teams seem equally matched tactically but France are favored for obvious reasons and I think the French team will edge out the Australians to progress to the next stage.

• Away Win or Draw and Over 1.5 Goals at 1.79 Odds
• First Half Over 0.5 Goals at 1.700 Odds
• France to Score Goal 1 at 1.82 Odds