Denmark vs China prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for Women's World Cup group stage

Denmark and China meet to open their Group D slate in Western Australia as the two begin their 2023 Women's World Cup journey with a vital 90 minutes.

This match is of extreme importance, with England expected to win the group and Haiti not considered a threat, meaning it's likely this game could decide Group D's second knockout qualifier.

Both these teams likely consider themselves better than their Women's World Cup history would suggest.

Ranked 18th in the world, Denmark haven't gone beyond the group stage of this competition since 1995, despite boasting some of the top talent around the globe. China, meanwhile, are ranked 15th but haven't made it past the quarterfinals since their runner-up finish in 1999.

MORE: The complete Women's World Cup fixture schedule

Denmark vs China match facts

• Date: Saturday, July 22
• Kickoff Time: 8 a.m. ET / 1 p.m. BST / 10 p.m. AEST
• Location: Perth Rectangular Stadium (Perth, Australia)
• Official: TBD
• Last meeting: None (First meeting)

Denmark vs China prediction, odds

• Moneyline lean: Denmark (-175)
• Handicap lean: Denmark -0.5 (-190)
• Score prediction: Denmark 1-0 China

Denmark are favourites in this match, and they should have enough to get by China in a defensively stout matchup.

However, the betting market doesn't seem to have a bead on how it will play out from a game-flow perspective. Sports books seem torn on whether both teams can find the net, as well as whether there will be a regular flow of combined goals or not.

Denmark vs China: best bet

• Pick: Under 2.5 total goals
• Odds: -145 (BetMGM)

While these two sides will give up goals to top global powers, against those of the echelons below the elite, they are quite solid defensively.

Dating back to last June, China have conceded multiple goals to just Sweden, Spain, and their pre-tournament warmup against Colombia, which was held behind closed doors and no information was given, likely indicating a less-than-competitive atmosphere.

Denmark, in that same span, only conceded multiple goals to Spain (once out of two meetings) and Germany. They managed to blank Finland, Norway, Japan, and mighty Sweden while conceding just a single goal to France and Spain.

With so much on the line in a huge match with massive consequences, both sides will play this one very safe throughout.

Denmark vs China prop bet

• Pick: Pernille Harder anytime goal scorer
• Odds: -105 (BetMGM)

Pernille Harder has only just come back from a months-long injury absence, but boy does it look like she never left. Prior to suffering a knee injury in mid-November, Harder was blasting in goals regularly, scoring twice at the Euros and starting her final season with Chelsea in style.

Out through the middle of April, Harder returned to score five goals in her final six games in blue, giving her eight goals in 10 Super League matches on the year. She fired a blank in a 2-0 friendly loss to Spain in a tournament warmup, but that's to be expected against one of the strongest sides in the world. Against China, who conceded goals to Colombia, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and South Korea dating back to last July, Harder will be the one to lead Denmark to victory in an otherwise low-scoring affair.

Denmark vs China live stream, TV channel