Fresh off humbling Spain to win Group C, Japan are into the Round of 16 at the 2023 Women's World Cup where they will take on Norway in Wellington on Saturday.
Japan stunned Spain, a tournament favourite, 4-0 in the final group match to end atop the standings and earn a seeded spot in the knockout stage. They put on one of the most comprehensive overall group performances, earning the maximum nine points while scoring 11 goals and conceding none.
Norway, meanwhile, pipped co-hosts New Zealand to a qualification spot in Group A, finishing second behind Switzerland. They struggled to score in their first two games, but found six goals against the Philippines on the final day to advance on goal differential.
Life has not been completely smooth in Norway camp, however, as an injury to star striker Ada Hegerberg and a rift with veteran forward Caroline Graham Hansen has left them many questions ahead of this monumental knockout round challenge.
Japan vs Norway match facts
- Date: Saturday, August 5
- Kickoff Time: 4 a.m. ET / 9 a.m. BST / 6 p.m. AEST
- Location: Sky Stadium (Wellington, New Zealand)
- Official: Edina Alvez (BRA)
- Last meeting: Japan 4-1 Norway (Nov. 11, 2018 | Friendly)
Japan vs Norway prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Japan (-120)
- Score prediction: Japan 2-0 Norway
Norway proved they can play a defensive style through the group stage, and managed to clear their goal scoring duck against the Philippines, but taking on this in-form Japan side is a completely different challenge.
From what we saw in the group stage, and quite frankly their performances and results all year, Japan are for real, and backing them to make a deep run in the Women's World Cup knockout stage is a smart play.
| Japan win (90 mins) | Draw (90 mins) | Norway win (90 mins) | Both teams to score Y / N | Over / Under 2.5 goals | Japan advance | Norway advance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM (USA) | -120 | +240 | +340 | +100 / -145 | +115 / -160 | -275 | +175 |
| Sports Interaction (Canada) | -137 | +245 | +340 | -105 / -147 | +109 / -152 | -270 | +185 |
| SkyBet (UK) | 3/4 | 12/5 | 7/2 | 1/1, 8/11 | 6/5, 8/13 | 4/11 | 2/1 |
| Unibet (Australia) | 1.80 | 3.55 | 4.60 | 1.97 / 1.80 | 2.10 / 1.71 | 1.40 | 2.75 |
| Dafabet (India) | 1.81 | 3.75 | 4.80 | 2.07 / 1.77 | 2.16 / 1.68 | 1.41 | 3.10 |
Japan vs Norway best bet
- Pick: Japan to win to nil AND Japan over 1.5 goals
- Odds: +341 (BetMGM)
It's hard to imagine Japan failing to run over Norway in the same manner they did against their three group stage opponents.
Norway may have finally shaken off the goal scoring cobwebs against the Philippines, but in truth, that's not a great indicator of where they are offensively. Especially with Ada Hegerberg struggling for fitness, this team has very little cohesion up front.
Japan, meanwhile, are firing on all cylinders, and even the powerful Spain squad was no match for their blistering form. Goals can crop up from every corner of this Japan lineup, with six different goal scorers through the group stage. While Norway conceded just five shots on target all group stage, that came against far weaker opposition. There's no stopping this Japan side right now, and we ride the wave until someone comes up with an answer.
Japan vs Norway prop bet
- Pick: Hinata Miyazawa to score or assist a goal
- Odds: +115 (FanDuel)
Leading the 2023 Women's World Cup goal scoring charts through the group stage, Hinata Miyazawa has been an unstoppable force in this white-hot Japan attack. With a heat map that covers just about the entire pitch, she's been all over the field, involved in the Japan build-up in every conceivable manner.
Through 165 minutes of group stage action, Miyazawa bagged her four goals on eight shots, two coming from each foot. The 23-year-old has an assist as well, picking up four key passes to bring teammates into the match. While you can get Miyazawa as an anytime goal scorer for around +230, it's her attacking contributions we're backing on the whole, still getting plus odds.
Playing for Vegalta Sendai in Japan, it wouldn't be surprising to see Miyazawa garner significant club interest in the aftermath of the tournament, from both the United States and Europe. Expect her to continue her hot streak with the entire Japan attack on a roll.
Japan vs Norway live stream, TV channel
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | FOX Sports 1, Telemundo (Spanish) | Fubo, Fox Sports site/app, Peacock, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (Spanish) |
| UK | ITV1 | ITVX |
| Australia | Channel 7, 7Mate | Optus Sport, 7Plus |
| Canada | TSN1, TSN4, TSN5, RDS | TSN+, RDS site/app |
| India | Star Sports Select 1 | FanCode, JioTV, Hotstar VIP |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport 2 NZ | Sky Sport NOW, Prime TV |
| Singapore | FIFA WWC CH01 | meWATCH |
| Hong Kong | Now Sports Prime | Now Player |
| Malaysia | — | FIFA+ |
Fans in select regions of the world can stream the Women's World Cup live on FIFA+, including in Japan, Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand.
