With Canada 2015 finally knocking at our door step, The18 decided it was high time to release its prediction for how the whole shebang will play out.
This is the prediction of what I think is going to happen this Summer. It is not a dictation of the future. So, if you were planning on using this guide as the basis for a string of bets in Las Vegas, you have been warned.
That being said, Canada isn’t going to make the semis. I’m just sayin’.
Group Stages
Group A
- Canada - currently ranked 8th in the world
- China - 16th
- New Zealand - 17th
- Netherlands - 12th
Prediction:
- Canada - WWD (Will Win 1st game, Win 2nd game, Draw 3rd game) - 7 pts
- Netherlands - WWD - 7 puts
- China - LLD - 1 pt
- New Zealand - LLD - 1 pt
Canada has the talent and the support to push it to the number one spot in this group, which is exactly what will happen. China and New Zealand just can’t hang with the Netherlands, who will tie Canada on points, but fall behind on goal differential.
Group B
- Germany - 1st
- Ivory Coast - 67th
- Norway - 11th
- Thailand - 29th
Prediction:
- Germany - WWW - 9 pts
- Norway - WLW - 6 pts
- Thailand - LDL - 1 pt
- Ivory Coast - LDL - 1 pt
There is no way in hell that any team in this group can stop the Germans, just like there is no way that Norway looses to the Ivory Coast or Thailand: the gulf in class is just too much.
Group C
- Japan - 4th
- Switzerland - 19th
- Cameroon - 53rd
- Ecuador - 48th
Prediction:
- Japan - WWW - 9 pts
- Switzerland - LWW - 6 pts
- Cameroon - WLL - 3 pts
- Ecuador - LLL - 0 pts
Much like Germany, Japan will handle its group with ease, even beating the plucky Swiss 2-0. That pluck, however, will be enough to lift Switzerland to the second spot. Cameroon will also pull off a slight upset against Ecuador, who have been spoiled by a historically poor CONMEBOL. Or, at least, less spoiled than Cameroon has been by the CAF.
Group D
- United States - 2nd
- Australia - 10th
- Sweden - 5th
- Nigeria - 33rd
Predition
- US - 7 puts - WDW
- Sweden - 5 pts - WDD
- Australia - 4 pts - LWD
- Nigeria - 0 pts - LLL
Ah, the Group of Death. As good as the United States is, it will draw against Sweden while beating Australia and Nigeria. Australia will not be deterred, however, and will pull out a point against the Swiss, and finish in 3rd with 4 points due to a win over Nigeria, as well.
Sorry Nigeria, in the Group of Death, someone has to die.
Group E
- Brazil - 7th
- Korea Republic - 18th
- Spain - 14th
- Costa Rica - 37th
Prediction
- Brazil - 7 pts- WDW
- Korea Republic - 6 pts - LWW
- Spain - 4 pts - WDL
- Costa Rica - 0 pts - LLL
Brazil will see this group out despite a draw with a Spain side hardened by UEFA competition. That being said, the Spanish won’t be able to out pace the South Korean, who will catch Spain by surprise and pull out a victory. Costa Rica will be a spectator in all of its matches.
Group F
- France - 3rd
- England - 6th
- Colombia - 28th
- Mexico - 25th
Prediction
- France - 9 pts - WWW
- England - 6 pts - LWW
- Colombia - 3 pt - WLL
- Mexico - 0 pts - LLL
The last of the elite 4 teams in the world, France, will dominate this group, making a statement win over the English. The English will rebound, however, not that it will be very hard against two lackluster sides in Colombia and Mexico. Colombia manages to pull out a win against Mexico in what are several “micro-upsets” to be found in the group stages.
Top4 Third Place Finishers
The top 4 third place finishers out of the six groups also move on to the Round of 16. Here they are.
- Australia - 4 pts- (Group D) - Ahead of goal differential courtesy of the beat down it’s going to lay on Nigeria.
- Spain - 4 pts - (Group E)
- Cameroon - 3 pts - (Group C) - Ahead on goal differential. I believe they wil beat Ecuador by more than Colombia will beat Mexico.
- Colombia - 3 pts - (Group F)
According to section 28 of the Official FIFA Regulations of the 2015 World Cup, because the top 4 third place finishers are from groups CDEF, they will draw the following teams in the Round of 16.
- Cameroon plays Canada
- Australia plays Germany
- Colombia plays Japan
- Spain plays USA
Round of 16
Winners advancing to the next round are in bold.
Netherlands (12) vs Switzerland (19)
Switzerland will pull off the upset here, and perhaps take the mantle as the darling Cinderella story of Canada 2015. Switzerland 3, Netherlands 1. We’ll see how long this lasts.
USA (2) vs Spain (14)
The gulf in class is just too much. USA wins 3-0
Germany (1) vs Australia (10)
Germany gets one of the toughest draws of the entire round. Australia may have finished third, but making it out of the Group of Death has given them confidence. It doesn’t matter: Germany wins 2-0.
France (3) vs Korea Republic (18)
The trend of domination continues with France, who will easily oust a Korea side that would have had a tough draw no matter where it finished in its group. France 3, Korea 1.
Brazil (7) vs Sweden (5)
Brazil’s penchant for losing to the elite sides of the world will continue, and Sweden will advance to the next round with a 2-0 win.
Japan (4) vs Colombia (28)
Japan makes quick work of Colombia, who are just happy to be in the next round. 3-0 to the Japanese.
Norway (11) vs England (6)
England avoids the label of failure that plagues the men’s side for another round: England 2, Norway 1.
Canada (8) vs Cameroon (53)
The hosts demolish Cameroon as they start to believe that they can make a dream run. Canada 4, Cameroon 0.
Quarterfinals
Switzerland (19) vs USA (2)
By now, the Swiss will have been turned into the darling of the tournament, “the little team that could.” The USA, however, won’t be impressed or moved. USA advances 2-1.
Germany (1) vs France (3)
The marquee match-up of the quarterfinals, and another addition to what is becoming Germany’s bid for “Toughest World Cup Run Of All Time.” Germany will pull it out, though, with a 2-0 win. “France getting invaded in WWII” jokes are sure to commence.
Sweden (5) vs Japan (4)
This match-up will be one of the most interesting of the round. Tactically brilliant Japan will give Sweden absolutely everything it can handle, and this will probably end up being a cagey affair. Sweden will pull this out 2-1.
England (6) vs Canada (8)
In this tournament’s rendition of “The Irresistible Force Meets The Immovable Object,” we have Canada, sure to be riding high on the pride of an entire nation, and England, attempting to prove themselves to a nation that cares little about women’s soccer, and hoping a loss won’t leave them labelled a let down.
Don’t worry England, I have faith: England 1, Canada 0.
Semifinals
USA (2) vs Germany (1)
Many people will call this the real final of the World Cup. We have the two perennial juggernauts facing off, and who will come out on top is anyone’s guess. These two teams haven’t faced each other since 2013, when Germany won one match 2-0, and came back from 2 goals down to tie the USA 3-3 in another.
By the time the smoke clears, I think the USA will be victorious, winning 3-2.
Sweden (5) vs England (6)
Two teams that no one expected to make the semifinals; one of them will make the finals. Sweden, with it’s star studded attack, and in form defense will provide England with what might be the match of the tournament, but England will reign supreme. England 4, Sweden 2.
That’s right England, you are going to a Final.
The Final
USA (2) vs England (6)
The United States wins, crushing the hopes of a nation that has been waiting for a champion since 1966. Sorry England, all good things must come to an end.
Has my American bias shown itself through? possibly, but this article is a representation of what I believe to be the most likely way that the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada will play out. Take from that what you will.
If I win you money, you must follow me on Twitter: @yetly
