The Women’s World Cup final is set after England took down host Australia on Wednesday morning to reach Sunday’s final against continental rival Spain.
In Gaming Today’s breakdown of Spain vs. England predictions, odds, and props, we examine the battle between two sides with stars in their prime at every level of the pitch.
The game is priced as close to even as you may ever see in a World Cup Final. On Saturday, we’re seeing Spain offered as the +170 favorite on the three-way line at FanDuel, Caesars dealing +190 as the best price on England, and +210 available for draw bettors at BetMGM. In the ‘To Lift Cup’ market, Spain is -110 at DraftKings, and England is +100 at FanDuel.
These two teams reaching the final feels fitting, as both entered the tournament as oddsmakers’ top teams after USA (which we quickly found out was not the team that won the World Cup in 2015 and 2019). Oddsmakers made Spain the slight favorite (both moneyline and to win outright) in the opening lines for Sunday’s match.
Spain and England both came into this World Cup under less-than-ideal circumstances. The former dealt with issues over the last year between the players and the Spanish federation (and Manager Jorge Vilda). England, on the other hand, had to replace three of its top players from last year’s Women’s Euro-winning side.
La Roja and the Lionesses have both been pushed in knockout play, with Spain needing extra time to beat the Netherlands in the quarterfinals and England going to PKs against Nigeria in the Round of 16.
Betting Odds for Sunday’s Spain vs. England World Cup Match
Here are Spain vs. England betting lines available on top sports betting apps. The odds here reflect the three-way moneyline, where a bet on either team to win is a loss if the game is tied after 90 minutes. As of Saturday, BetMGM offers the draw at +210.
Bettors also have the option to take either team to raise the trophy, regardless of when and how they do it. DraftKings lists Spain at -110 to earn the Women’s World Cup, and England is even-money at FanDuel.
SOCCER · Sun (8/20) @ 6:00 am ET
| England | at | Spain |
| Stadium Australia, Sydney, AU | ||
Spain Roster, Injuries, and Betting News
Spain arrives in the final after beating Sweden 2-1 in the semis on an 89th-minute game-winner by Olga Carmona off a corner kick. Carmona’s goal made her the ninth Spanish player to score at this World Cup.
Spain have scored 17 goals (16 from their own players, plus an own goal) in six World Cup matches. La Roja have had a clear advantage in possession (at least 60%) against every opponent they’ve faced, but that will be hard to maintain against England’s strong midfield.
Speaking of the midfield, that’s where Vilda will have his toughest decision to make after two-time Ballon d’Or Feminin winner Alexia Putellas got her first start of knockout play against Sweden on Tuesday.
Putellas left that match after 57 minutes of action in which she did not look 100%. Her replacement, speedy 19-year-old winger Salma Paralluelo, put Spain on the board in the 81st minute with a quality finish in traffic. That gave Paralluelo goals in back-to-back matches, including the game-winner in extra time against the Netherlands. The former sprinter came off the bench against both the Netherlands and Sweden but has made a strong case for inclusion in the starting XI against England.
Now Vilda has a dilemma regarding who to play in the midfield and up top. Eight players — Paralluelo, Putellas, Aitana Bonmati, Teresa Abelleira, Mariona Caldentey, Jennifer Hermoso, Alba Redondo, and Esther Gonzalez — have all started at least three matches and appeared in at least five. Whether Vilda correctly chooses which of those two to bring off the bench against England in the final (while figuring out whether Paralluelo will do more damage as a starter or a sub) could decide the match.
Injuries
The uncertainty around Putellas’ fitness/effectiveness is Spain’s only concern on the injury front.
England Roster, Injuries, and Betting News
The story before this World Cup kicked off was how England would fare without captain Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby, and Beth Mead, who all missed the team’s trip Down Under due to injuries.
But England have flexed their depth since their opener against Haiti. They emerged from group play unscathed, winning those matches by a combined score of 8-1. After a scare from Nigeria in their first knockout match, the Lionesses dispatched Colombia in the quarters and host Australia in the semis with an impressive showing in a tough atmosphere in Sydney.
Prior to the semifinal against Australia, England’s calling card in this tournament was an impenetrable back line that had allowed just one meaningful goal in five games. England did allow Australia to score on Wednesday but showed how dangerous their attack can be. The Lionesses broke out offensively with three goals on Wednesday, including two after Australia’s Sam Kerr equalized in the 63rd minute.
England’s control of the opening half and response after the Matildas made it 1-1 to send the home crowd into a frenzy showed the value of the experience they gained winning last summer’s Euro. Their quality was also on display throughout Wednesday’s semifinal, from Ella Toone’s perfect strike for their opener to Lauren Hemp’s excellent run and through-ball to Alessia Russo for the goal that made it 3-1 and effectively ended the match in the 86th.
A scary thought for Spain is that England’s attack will welcome back Lauren James, their most dangerous player through group play. The 21-year-old missed her team’s quarterfinal and the semifinal games after picking up a red card late in the Nigeria match. Still, she leads England in both goals (3) and assists (3) despite having played just 286 total minutes, the 11th-most of the Lionesses.
While Vilda wrestles with whether to start Putellas and/or Paralluelo, England Manager Sarina Wiegman has an intriguing call regarding James’ place in the Lionesses’ starting XI.
Injuries
England should have their full squad available against Spain in the final. The absences of Williamson, Kirby, and Mead merit a mention, but England have clearly found capable replacements for all three for this tournament.
Spain vs. England Props
Below is a sampling of betting props for Spain vs. England:
Anytime Goalscorer (FanDuel):
- Alexia Putellas, Jenni Hermoso: +240
- Alessia Russo, Esther Gonzalez: +260
- Rachel Daly: +280
- Alba Redondo: +290
- Salma Paralluelo: +330
- Lauren Hemp: +360
- Lauren James: +380
Correct Score (FanDuel):
- Spain 1-0: +650
- Spain 2-0: +1200
- Spain 2-1: +1000
- England 1-0: +700
- England 2-0: +1200
- England 2-1: +1000
- 0-0: +650
- 1-1: +500
Total Goal Props (FanDuel):
- Over 0.5 goals -1200, Under 0.5 goals: +550
- Over 1.5 goals -250, Under 1.5 goals: +175
- Over 2.5 goals +137, Under 2.5 goals: -188
- Over 3.5 goals +350, Under 3.5 goals: -600
Spain vs. England Prediction: Spain 1, England 2
This feels like the toughest match to predict of the entire World Cup. The fact that both teams are playing in their first World Cup final makes this match-up that much more interesting.
Both midfields have controlled every match to this point, and whether Bonmati and Spain or Keira Walsh and England can control that area will go a long way toward deciding the winner. The problem for anyone trying to bet on this match is that these midfield groups appear evenly matched.
Ultimately, experience will give England the slight advantage over 90 minutes (or more – no one should be surprised to see this game decided in extra time, or even via a shootout). Both teams will have talented players they can turn to on their bench, but England have subs who scored in that situation a year ago (Toone and Chloe Kelly) at the pressure-packed Euro final at Wembley.
I’m not quite convinced they will win in regular time, but +180 (FanDuel’s moneyline price for England) offers outstanding value for such a proven team with one of the most respected coaches in women’s soccer.
Here are a few bets available at DraftKings that are worth checking out:
- Over 2.5 Goals (+140)
- England Draw No Bet (Regular Time) (-105)
Spain vs. England Broadcast Info: Where to Watch
- Date/Time: Sunday, August 20, 6 a.m. ET
- Location: Stadium Australia
Watch this match at one of the following:
- Fox
- Peacock Premium
- Fubo
- DirecTV Stream
- Sling Blue
- Sling Latino
- Telemundo
- Universo
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