What’s the best way to kick off a weekend? Watching a full afternoon and evening of soccer. Five matches across three different fixtures await fans and bettors on Friday with legal Canadian and US sportsbooks in on the action.
All five matches boast heavy favorites at those sportsbooks and for good reasons. However, the nightcap might present an opportunity to make some money on the underdog if things go right.
How to watch, schedule, and the lines for Friday
All times below are Eastern Daylight Savings. The Euros and NWSL lines are from BetMGM while the Copa lines are from BetRivers. All lines are valid as of 8 a.m. EDT on Friday.
- Euros: Norway (-105) vs. Austria (+250), 3 p.m., ESPN, (Draw +260)
- Euros: England (-10000) vs. Northern Ireland (+5000), 3 p.m., ESPN (Draw +2200)
- Copa América: Argentina (-385) vs. Uruguay (+1000), 5 p.m., FS2 (Draw +500)
- Copa América: Venezuela (-625) vs. Peru (+1500), 8 p.m., FS1 (Draw +625)
- NWSL: Racing Louisville FC (+333) at San Diego Wave FC (-145), 10 p.m., Paramount+, (Draw +240)
Norway challenges Austria to break losing streak
Austria and Norway last faced off in June 2016 in the 2022 UEFA Women’s European Championship qualifier, drawing 2-2. Norway is looking for its first victory over Austria since April 2016. Austria needs to avoid defeat to qualify for the knockout stages.
Norway suffered a record defeat in their last match at the Euros, becoming the first nation to lose by eight goals in the tournament. They have conceded nine goals in the group stages so far, with only one side ever conceding more in the group stages at a single edition.
Austria has conceded just two goals in its seven matches at the Euros, with goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger saving 27 of the 29 shots on target she’s faced. Meanwhile, 67% of the shots Austria has taken at the Euros have come in the second half, with 44% coming in the final 15 minutes of matches.
Euros host team should cruise on Friday
England has won all 11 of its matches against Northern Ireland in all competitions by an aggregate score of 59-3. Their most recent match was a 5-0 win at Windsor Park in a World Cup qualifier in April 2022. Northern Ireland has failed to score in its last seven matches against England.
England set a new UEFA Women’s Euros record for both goals scored and margin of victory in their 8-0 win over Norway. The Lionesses are looking to eclipse the record for goals scored in the group stages, set by Germany in 2001 (11 goals), while no side has ever scored 10+ goals in the group stages without conceding a goal.
Uruguay can spoil Argentina’s run
Argentina has now beaten Uruguay in the 2022 CONMEBOL Copa América Femenina after four meetings, scoring 14 goals in total and conceding just two in the process. The last meeting, a 2-0 win for the Albiceleste, was in the 2006 edition.
Uruguay went scoreless in its first two Copa América matches but La Celeste has never strung together three clean sheets in the tournament. Florencia Bonsegundo and Estefania Banini have six goals in this tournament and are one away from equaling Marisol Medina as the Albiceleste’s top scorer in the fixture.
Venezuela looks for edge against Peru
The record between Peru and Venezuela in Copa América play after three meetings is completely even, with a draw in the most recent encounter. Peru has gone three straight matches without scoring in this fixture, though. At the same time, the Peruvians have yet to see four consecutive matches in this tournament without a goal.
Meanwhile, Venezuela has won three of its last five Copa América matches, matching the number of wins in its first 20 appearances in the tournament. Part of that success is due to the fact that six of the seven shots on goal that Deyna Castellanos has made in this year’s version have been converted to goals.
Argentina and Venezuela would set up a do-or-die match for knockout round qualification with wins Friday, so both teams should be on point.
Racing with some interesting trends
The nightcap brings Racing Louisville FC to San Diego for the first time ever and there are some things bettors should note. Racing hasn’t secured all three points in a match since May 22, meaning they are a winless streak of six consecutive matches. Louisville does have two draws in that span, however.
Racing has earned at least a point in half of their six road matches so far this season as well. Furthermore, San Diego showed it is mortal in its last match, as Angel City FC snapped its point streak. A similar squad without some key international players like Alex Morgan will be on the pitch on Friday night.
Two of the three matches that San Diego has played to a draw so far this season have been on its home pitch and the Wave’s goal differential is actually better on the road than at home.
