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Women's World Cup Sunday predictions: Expect goals to flow for dangerous Dutch
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Liam Flin
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France have been hit by injuries to key forwards but Eugenie Le Sommer is ready to step up
France have been hit by injuries to key forwards but Eugenie Le Sommer is ready to step up

The 2023 Women's World Cup has not disappointed so far and on Sunday attention turns to matches in Groups E, F and G.

Among those in action are 2019 Women's World Cup runners-up the Netherlands, who face debutants Portugal, and a talented France side, who are up against minnows Jamaica.

Sweden vs South Africa (Sunday, 6am)

Having finished third at the 2019 Women's World Cup in France, Sweden get the ball rolling in Group G on Sunday as they take on South Africa, who are making their second appearance in the tournament.

In their maiden Women's World Cup campaign four years ago, South Africa placed bottom of their group with three defeats from three matches and only one goal scored.

But Banyana Banyana have since made progress under long-serving head coach Desiree Ellis, who led them to their first ever Women's Africa Cup of Nations title last year.

South Africa had already sealed their spot in Australia and New Zealand by the time they beat Morocco in the final and should make a greater fight of it in their group this time around.

Beating Sweden, who have never missed a Women's World Cup and are spearheaded by Arsenal's Stina Blackstenius, is a tall order but South Africa should make it competitive.

Sweden have managed just one win from their last five internationals, scoring only seven times in that streak.

Netherlands vs Portugal (Sunday, 8.30am)

Lieke Martens has a big role to play for the Netherlands with Vivianne Miedema ruled out
Lieke Martens has a big role to play for the Netherlands with Vivianne Miedema ruled out

Portugal are making their Women's World Cup debut in Australia and New Zealand and they could hardly ask for a tougher opener with the Netherlands awaiting them in Dunedin.

The tournament debutants must also face defending champions the USA in Group E and could be in for a tough time of it.

Portugal have lost just one of their last 12 internationals and defeated Belgium and Iceland in the intercontinental play-offs to book their spot in the tournament, but the Dutch will represent a step up in quality.

The Netherlands, who were Women's World Cup runners-up four years ago in France, are missing talismanic forward Vivianne Miedema for the tournament but have nonetheless been in the goals of late, beating Poland 4-1 and Belgium 5-0 in their last two games.

In forward Lieke Martens, they have a dangerous deputy for Miedema and they can maintain their 100 per cent record in Women's World Cup openers by notching a few goals against the Portuguese.

France vs Jamaica (Sunday, 11am)

Eugenie Le Sommer to score first in France v Jamaica

Under the watchful eye of experienced coach Herve Renard, France will get their Women's World Cup campaign underway on Sunday against minnows Jamaica.

The French made the semi-finals at Euro 2022 and have reached the last eight in each of their last three Women's World Cup campaigns, and a strong start is expected in this match in Sydney.

France have to make do without two key forwards this tournament with both Delphine Cascarino and Marie-Antoinette Katoto sidelined, but in their absence, Eugenie Le Sommer will be looking to cause a stir.

The experienced Lyon striker has 89 goals for her country and has been in good form of late, bagging a brace against Colombia in April before scoring in the 3-0 win over Ireland at the start of the month.

Tags

Sweden WPortugal WFrance WJamaica WSouth Africa WNetherlands WWomen's World Cup
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