New Zealand W vs France W Prediction & Betting Tips (31 July)

New Zealand, which is struggling to establish itself on the international scene, encounters difficulties during this group stage. France's future opponent is in last place in its group with zero points. The players suffered two consecutive defeats: 2-1 against Canada and 2-0 against Colombia. In February, the Football Ferns ensured their qualification for the Olympics by winning two crushing victories: 7-1 against Fiji in the semi-final and 11-1 against the Solomon Islands in the final. The French women's team benefits from a important advantage when playing at home in front of their supporters.

Les Bleues started the competition on a positive note with a 3-2 victory against Colombia, despite a scare at the end of the match after leading 3-0. This success could have ideally positioned the team, but they then lost to Canada in Saint-Étienne 1-2 in added time, having led 1-0 at half-time. To qualify for the next round, the French will have to win their next meeting against New Zealand. Currently, after these two days, they occupy second place in the ranking, just behind Colombia. 

New Zealand is banking on a young squad for this competition. Among the attackers, only Wilkinson, with her 126 caps and 32 goals, is over thirty. The team includes young talents like Riley (PSV, 24 caps, 6 goals), Rennie (35 caps), Hand (28 caps, 8 goals), and the young Clegg, aged 18. Other players like Steinmetz (32 caps), Kitching (Sunderland, 4 goals in 11 caps), Jale (31 caps, 9 goals), Fraser (5 caps, 2 goals), and Cleverley (39 caps) did not have still reached 25 years. In defense, experience is brought by players like CJ Bott (Leicester, 47 caps), Bowen (Inter, 110 caps), Moore (66 caps), and Stott (103 caps). Against Canada, Barry, the left back, scored the first and only goal of the competition for his team. Hervé Renard will probably have to adjust his team for the last day of the group stage. During the previous match against Canada, goalkeeper Peyraud-Magnin was forced to come off after injuring her head during contact with a defender on the opponent's first goal.

Additionally, captain and legend Wendie Renard also left the field in the second half due to a thigh problem. These absences could pave the way for Griedge Mbock, who is returning from injury. Amel Majri and Clara Mateo, midfielder and attacker respectively, are still absent. However, the young attackers Vicki Becho (20 years old), Louna Ribadeira (19 years old), and Inès Benyahia (21 years old) are very present. Despite the medical green light, Oriane Jean-François, PSG midfielder injured in the knee last October, was not selected. The French midfield is made up of Grace Geyoro, Kenza Dali, Sandie Toletti, Selma Bacha, and Amandine Henry. In attack, Kadidiatou Diani (100 caps, 28 goals) and Marie-Antoinette Katoto (PSG), who has already scored three goals since the start of the competition, will look to make the difference.