Women's World Cup Betting Preview: Odds, predictions, recommended wagers

The 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup begins Saturday in Edmonton, Alberta. The staff at theScore put on their prognosticator hats and offer up their picks with an eye on finding value on the betting board.

World Champion odds

Although the Women's World Cup will see an increase in participating teams in 2015, the United States remain heavy favourites to capture a record third title. The Americans enter the tournament with a collection of players hungry to redeem their runners-up performance at the 2011 tournament when they fell to the Japanese. Their triumph at the 2012 Olympics should provide an indication of the dramatics the team is capable of pulling when faced with adversity, but they'll likely find themselves with an advantage in most matches. With a core featuring a trio of the game's brightest stars in Abby Wambach, Sydney Leroux, and Alex Morgan, the U.S. will claim its first World Cup title on North American soil since winning it all at home in 1999. United States to win World Cup at 11/4 - Gordon Brunt

The pieces are in place for Brazil to improve on its runner-up performance from 2007 and finally emerge victorious at the Women's World Cup. Veteran striker Cristiane and five-time Women's Player of the Year Marta provide the Verde-Amarela with one of the tournament's most prolific pairings in attack. As for their style of play, charismatic manager Oswaldo Alvarez, better known as Vadao, ensures his side play a high-pressing game that involves the backline moving up the pitch to suffocate opponents. If his strategy is executed properly, Brazil should finally celebrate its first-ever Women's World Cup title on July 5. Brazil to win World Cup at 6/1 - Carlo Campo

Can Les Bleus break free of their perennial tag as burgeoning powers and claim a historic result befitting a team with such sublime technical skills? For a team boasting arguably the most talented squad in the world - led by the wizardry of versatile midfielder Louisa Necib - finishing no better than fourth in recent major tournaments is simply not good enough. The talent is there for France to make the leap to the next level. So too is the cohesion of the squad, comprised primarily of players who ply their trade with Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain. After winning nine of their last 10 matches - beating the likes of Germany, Brazil, and Canada in the process - it's all coming together for manager Philippe Bergeroo and company. Now, the French need to parlay that success onto the grandest of stages. There's a first time for everything, and this will be theirs. France to win World Cup at 6/1 - Gianluca Nesci

Group A odds

The support of an entire nation should see Canada's tournament get off to a flying start when it clashes with China during the opener. The hosts should cruise past a Chinese side that's suffered a significant step back in recent years and use that momentum to finish atop the Group A standings. Their only legitimate challenger will be the Dutch. Still, Canada's first two games should produce wins and see the squad enter the group finale with confidence they can fend off the talented Netherlands outfit. Canada to win Group A at 1/3 - Brunt

Group B odds

A Women's World Cup qualifying campaign in which Germany won all 10 of its matches should serve as a preview of how Group B will unfold. Silvia Neid's side scored a jaw-dropping 62 goals and conceded only four en route to the Women's World Cup - numbers that should have Norway, Ivory Coast, and Thailand aware they'll be fighting for the runners-up spot. It's also worth noting that when Germany went undefeated in its qualifying campaign for the 2007 Women's World Cup, it went on to win the tournament in remarkably casual fashion. Germany to win Group B at 1/12 or pass - Campo

Group C odds

The defending World Cup champions certainly emerged from December's draw with the largest smiles across their faces, as Japan was handed three teams making their tournament debuts. It doesn't get much better than that, really. Just how far Japan can go remains up for debate, but legendary leader Homare Sawa and company should have no problem at all emerging atop Group C. Japan to win Group C at 1/9 or pass - Nesci

Group D odds

Sweden's the pick here if any significant money is to be won, as they stand a great chance of upsetting the United States to top Group D. While the United States are the favourites, Sweden's collection of talented players, coupled with the leadership and knowledge of former U.S. manager Pia Sundhage, could produce an upset in one of the tournament's toughest groups. Sweden to win Group D at 3/1 - Brunt

Group E odds

One of the harder groups to call, Group E should see Brazil edge out Spain at the top of the table. Simply put, Brazil consistently performs well in the group stage of the Women's World Cup. The Verde-Amarela have topped their group in the last four editions of the tournament, winning 10 of 12 matches and drawing the other two. Fueled by Cristiane, Marta, and Formiga, Brazil's attack should have no trouble overcoming Spain, South Korea, and Costa Rica, and it will likely top its group for a fifth consecutive World Cup. Brazil to win Group E at 2/9 or pass - Campo

Group F odds

England should provide a stern test for Les Bleus, making their meeting in the group opener June 9 must-see viewing. However, at the end of the day, it would be very surprising if Laura Georges, Camille Abily and company do not emerge as group winners, such is the superiority of their individual talent over the Lionesses. Colombia and Mexico are, sadly, just here to make up the numbers. France to win Group F at 8/11 - Nesci

(Odds courtesy: BetVictor)