Australia v Ireland Prediction, Preview & Odds – Women’s World Cup 2023

We have an Australia v Ireland prediction, preview and odds for you ahead of the country’s first ever appearance at the Women’s World Cup.

Australia v Ireland Match Info

Venue: Stadium Australia

When? 11.00 am, Thursday the 20^th of July

What Channel? RTÉ 2 and ITV 1

Australia v Ireland Betting Odds

Australia – 2/7

Ireland – 8/1

The Draw – 4/1

Australia go into this game as the commanding 2/7 favourites. Ireland on the other hand are the 8/1 underdogs to win in the country’s first ever game in the Women’s World Cup. You can back this game to end in a draw at odds of 4/1.

The Form – Australia vs Ireland

Australia’s Form

Australia have nine wins and three defeats in their last twelve matches, dating back to the end of 2022. That record includes victories against Spain, England and France. The Aussies have been prolific too, scoring twenty-four times while only conceding eight goals.

Their last two official matches in preparation for this World Cup shows their credentials of going far in their home tournament. They beat France 1-0 on the 14^th of July and before that they defeated England 0-2 back in April. However, most interestingly for Irish fans their last defeat came on the 7^th of April 0-1 against Scotland, a team that Ireland beat to qualify for this World Cup.

Tony Gustavsson has been the Australian head coach since being appointed in September 2020 following 20 years of experience. The highlight of his tenure as Australia Women’s coach so far was their 2023 Cup of Nations victory.

Ireland’s Form

Ireland has five wins, three defeats, one draw and one abandoned game in their last ten matches. The country’s sole victory in 2023 came in a 3-2 win over Zambia back in June. That was the same Zambian side that beat one of the tournament favourites Germany 2-3 in the beginning of July.

Ireland’s most recent match was a behind closed doors game against Colombia. The match was controversially abandoned after just twenty minutes with the Irish team walking off due to the perceived rough nature of the Colombian team along with an injury to one of their star players Denise O’Sullivan.

Footage of the challenge that injured Denise O'Sullivan has emerged on @AS_Colombia pic.twitter.com/sbHUZeOBa5

— Mark McCadden (@markmccadden) July 16, 2023

Ireland Women’s Head Coach Vera Pauw was appointed to the role in September 2019 after 20 years of coaching, which included roles at the likes of Scotland and The Netherlands. Her work so far has culminated in Ireland qualifying for the World Cup for the first time with a dramatic 0-1 playoff victory over Scotland back in October.

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Australia v Ireland Lineups

Australia’s Predicted XI

Formation: 4-4-2

GK: Arnold

RB: Carpenter, CB: Hunt, CB: Polkinghorne LB: Grant

RM: Ruso, CM: Cooney-Cross, CM: Gorry, LM: Foord

CF: Fowler CF: Kerr

Ireland’s Predicted XI

Formation: 5-4-1

GK: Brosnan

RB: Payne, RCB: Connolly, CB: Quinn, LCB: Caldwell, LB: McCabe

RM: Quinn, CM: O’Sullivan, CM: Littlejohn LM: Sheva

CF: Carusa

Australia vs Ireland Preview

Australia’s Tactics

Australia will come into this match as favourites, and you can expect them to have the majority of possession too.

Head Coach Tony Gustavsson is likely to set the side up in his favoured 4-4-2 formation, which they use in their recent 0-2 victory over England. That was also Sarina Wiegman’s first defeat as Head Coach of the Lionesses.

West Ham keeper Arnold will be expected to retain her place between the sticks, with a back four of Charlotte Grant, Clare Polkinghorne, Clare Hunt and Ellie Carpenter. While Katrina Gorry and Kyra Cooney-Cross are likely to occupy the engine room in the midfield of the park.

However, it is the attack which for me which is the most exciting element of this side with Caitlin Foord and Hayley Ruso on the flanks with the former in particular starting for Arsenal this season with six assists for Arsenal in the WSL she also has 29 goals in 109 games for Australia.

Leading the line will likely be World Class Captain Sam Kerr (who is amongst the top-scorer favourites) alongside Mary Folwer (20) who could’ve played for Ireland due to her Irish father her brother Caoimhin and sister Ciara has even played for Irish youth teams.

Ireland’s Tactics

Vera Pauw has settled on a 5-4-1 formation with Ireland which allows them to be defensively strong first and build on that, with a lot of responsibility on their wingers and midfield to get involved in the attack.

Courtney Brosnan will be Ireland’s Number 1 following some inspirational performances during the qualifying campaign.

Payne has found herself converted from the striker role and now provides her energy and endeavour as a right-back while Ireland’s heartbeat and our World Class Captain Katie McCabe on the other flank. Both will be huge for Ireland, particularly McCabe who in their warm-up against France was performing well until she went off injured and Ireland subsequently fell apart defensively.

Experienced heads Quinn and Caldwell are both very likely to start unless Fahey comes in for Caldwell. The pair will be partnered by the more mobile and energetic Connolly in defence to give them legs to stop Australia.

On the flanks expect the pace of Quinn and Sheva to be used as long-ball targets, Quinn in particular performed well in their 3-2 victory over Australia in September 2021.

Denise O’Sullivan will be huge for Ireland (if passed fit) her proactive and all-action ability in the centre of the park will be needed in both attack and defence. I’d expect her to be partnered by Littlejohn in midfield who will be the more defensive of the two looking to sweep up possession more and give the ball to Ireland’s runners.

Kyra Carusa was impressive for Ireland during the warm-ups and I’d expect her to start with Amber Barrett deployed as a super-sub like she was against Scotland.

For a detailed look at the Ireland Women’s squad at this World Cup check out our Everything You Need To Know about the Ireland Women’s World Cup Squad post.

Australia v Ireland Head-to-Head Results

Ireland 3-2 Australia | 2021 International Friendly

Australia and Ireland have only played against each other once at senior women’s level and that was in an International Friendly in September 2021 in Tallaght Stadium, Dublin.

In this match in front of 3,314 supporters, Ireland secured a 3-2 victory courtesy of two deflected goals and a header from Louise Quinn, while Mary Fowler netted twice for the Aussies.

Australia’s vs Ireland’s Prediction

Prediction: Australia 1-1 Ireland

A showcase event for Women’s Football as tournament hosts Australia play World Cup debutants Ireland in front of 82,500 people at Stadium Australia. This will be Ireland’s toughest test of the tournament so any sort of result here could give them hopes of qualifying.

Ireland will have to stop Sam Kerr though and that’s easier said than done, but I think Ireland can shock Australia again and earn a draw especially if Denise O’Sullivan recovers in time to play.

Best Bet: Correct Score – Draw 1-1 @ 9/1

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