Australia Women vs USA Women prediction: Goals to keep flowing at 2024 Olympics
The group stage of the women’s football tournament at the 2024 Olympics draws to an end this week, with Australia Women and USA Women in very different places.
Australia Women vs USA Women prediction: Goals to keep flowing at 2024 Olympics
Australia Women vs USA Women latest prediction
Last summer, Australia made it to the semi-finals of their home World Cup, eventually finishing fourth. It was a run that boosted spirits in the nation and there were hopes that the Matildas could build on that for another good Olympics. In Tokyo, Australia also finished fourth, losing to USA Women in the bronze medal match. But after two games of their group stage, Australia Women are in a precarious position.
The Matildas currently sit third in Group B behind USA Women and Germany Women and, at this moment, would qualify for the knockout stages as one of the two best third-placed sides. However, they are second in that mini table and only sit ahead of Canada Women as they have been deducted six points. If Australia Women were to lose year and Canada Women win, then the Matildas would be knocked out at the group stage. After losing their opening game against Germany Women 3-0, Australia Women had a thriller, edging Zambia Women 6-5 thanks to Michelle Heyman’s 90th-minute winner. The Matildas had trailed that match 5-2 at one point.
For USA Women, there has been no such problem. In fact, they’ve already booked their spot in the knockout stages, whether that be in first, second or third. But, of course, USA Women will want to secure top spot. Should they finish top, USA Women would face the runners-up of Group B which currently look to be Japan Women. While there is no easy game at an international tournament, USA Women may feel that this is the toughest route.
But they will be confident. USA Women are still perfect after two games, coming through their last match against Germany Women with relative ease. Emma Hayes’ side had opened their Olympics with a 3-0 win over Zambia Women, able to take their foot off the gas after the first 30 minutes. But Germany Women were meant to be the real test, as they had also opened with a 3-0 win. But USA Women were 3-1 up by half time and Lynn Williams came off the bench to put the gloss on the victory, with Hayes’ side stamping their authority. For those who may have counted them out, this was a statement from USA Women.
Australia Women and USA Women face off at 6pm on 31st July at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
If the first two games for both of these sides have told us anything, it’s to expect goals. USA Women have scored seven goals in two games, including four against a Germany Women side that many had expected to put up a fight. Australia Women, meanwhile, have conceded eight goals in two games including five against Zambia Women in their thriller.
Australia Women team news
After their defeat to Germany Women, Tony Gustavsson switched Australia Women from a two-player strike force to sole forward. Mary Fowler was the leading forward, with Emily van Egmond playing slightly behind her, replacing Cortnee Vine. That was the only change between the two games and it did help, though defending wasn’t really a desire for either teams in the thrilling matchup between Australia Women and Zambia Women. But defence will be at the forefront of Gustavsson’s mind for this game, hoping to improve on a back line that has conceded eight goals in two games.
USA Women team news
After some initial worries from fans about Sophia Smith’s fitness, following her early substitution against Zambia, the Portland Thorns forward started in USA Women’s 4-1 win over Germany Women. Emma Hayes made no changes between those games and, given top spot still needs to be secured, we may see the same XI once more. However, we could see a change in formation. Hayes has changed how she has utilised Rose Lavelle in both matches, playing the Gotham FC midfielder further forward against Zambia Women, while dropping her into a more reserved midfield three against Germany Women.
Australia Women vs USA Women head-to-head
USA Women and Australia Women have met 34 times previously and this is a fixture that is as one-sided as they come among big nations. USA Women have won 28 times with five draws and just one defeat. Since that Australia Women win in 2017, USA Women have won three with three draws. They drew in the group stage of the Olympics in Tokyo three years ago, with USA Women then winning the bronze medal meeting.
| Australia Women vs USA Women H2H | |||||||
| Date | Score | Ground | |||||
| 30/11/21 | Australia Women 1-1 USA Women | McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle | |||||
| 27/11/21 | Australia Women 0-3 USA Women | ANZ Stadium, Sydney | |||||
| 05/08/21 | Australia Women 3-4 USA Women | Kashima Soccer Stadium, Kashima | |||||
| 27/07/21 | USA Women 0-0 Australia Women | Kashima Soccer Stadium, Sydney | |||||
| 04/04/19 | USA Women 5-2 Australia Women | Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City | |||||
| 29/07/18 | USA Women 1-1 Australia Women | Pratt & Whitney Stadium, East Hartford | |||||
How to watch Australia Women vs USA Women live
Australia Women vs USA Women is scheduled for 6pm on Wednesday 31st July with the game set to be broadcast live on Eurosport 2 and Discovery+.
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