Colombia vs Jamaica betting tips: Women’s World Cup round of 16 preview, predictions, team news and odds

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Colombia vs Jamaica match preview

Before a ball was kicked Down Under, no one could’ve predicted this as a round of 16 match-up, so who’s fairytale adventure will continue into the quarter-finals?

Colombia are making just their third appearance at this tournament, with their sole World Cup victory, prior to this summer, coming against France eight years ago.

Nevertheless, las Chicas Superpoderosas kicked off this campaign with a 2-0 win over Korea Republic, before pulling off one of the great World Cup shocks by defeating Germany 2-1.

Those inside Sydney Football Stadium will never forget the celebrations sparked by Manuela Vanegas’ towering 97th minute header.

On Thursday, with little to play for, Nelson Abadía’s side put in an underwhelming performance, beaten 1-0 by Morocco in Perth, but this was not enough to dislodge Colombia from top spot.

Here, recharged and fully focussed again, las Cafeteras are confident of reaching the quarter-finals of this competition for the very first time.

The Reggae Girlz have, in recent years, been funded by Bob Marley’s daughter Cedella, but still required two GoFundMe fundraisers just to afford travel costs to get to Australia.

Despite all of these ongoing challengers, Lorne Donaldson’s team are one of just three sides to come through the group phase without conceding a goal, alongside Japan and Switzerland.

Jamaica claimed their first-ever World Cup win, with Allyson Swaby’s header downing Panama, whilst also holding two juggernauts, France and Brazil, to goalless draws.

The latter, in Melbourne last Wednesday, was enough to see the Reggae Girlz cling onto second place in Group F, whilst ensuring Brazil crashed out in the group phase for the first time in almost three decades.

Of course, Jamaica have done remarkably well just to get into the round of 16, but they’ll believe this is a winnable tie, especially given their defensive record so far.

This clash at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium could go all the way to penalties, but who will get through to a quarter-final clash with England in Sydney on Saturday?

Colombia team news

Manuela Vanegas, who’s 97th minute header saw Colombia stun Germany during the group stages, will sit out this one due to yellow card suspension, which is a big blow.

Given that Vanegas almost never misses matches, it’s hard to know who will deputise, although 18 Ana María Guzmán, who’s one and only cap came against Italy in April, is the most obvious alternative.

Aside from that, Nelson Abadía is expected to name an unchanged XI.

This’ll include 18 year old superstar Linda Caicedo, after she scored against both Korea Republic and the Germany, having been player of the tournament at last summer’s Copa América.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pérez; C Arias, D Arias, Carabalí, Guzmán; Bedoya, Montoya, Caicedo, Santos, Usme; Ramírez.

Jamaica teams news

If Jamaica are going to get on the scoresheet here, Bunny Shaw remains the most obvious candidate, seeking her first World Cup goal, but she has netted 55 times for her country, and counting.

The Reggae Girlz’s one-and-only goal at this tournament came from Allyson Swaby, and she’ll remain key at the heart of this defence, alongside her namesake Chantelle Swaby.

Tottenham goalkeeper Becky Spencer has been excellent so far, but will need to remain at her best, if Jamaica are going to continue to upset the odds.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Spencer; Wiltshire, C Swaby, A Swaby, Blackwood; Sampson, Spence, Primus, Matthews, Brown; Shaw.

Colombia′s Women’s World Cup results & fixtures

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Jamaica′s Women’s World Cup results & fixtures

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Women’s World Cup round of 16 results & fixtures

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