United States vs Vietnam Predictions, Odds, and Picks: Americans Flex Muscles in Opener

Two teams will be chasing history on Friday when the United States takes the pitch against Vietnam to open their Women’s World Cup play in Group E. 

The USWNT is seeking to become the first national team — men or women — to claim three consecutive World Cup trophies. Standing in their way is a Vietnam side making their first-ever appearance in the tournament following the expansion to 32 nations.

With numerous big names sidelined due to injury, there are question marks surrounding the USWNT. Despite these, they are the clear betting favorites heading into the tournament, and the Golden Star Women Warriors will be hoping they can spring an upset and ensure they’re remembered forever.

It’s a true David vs. Goliath showdown, and we break down your best betting options in our United States vs. Vietnam betting picks for Friday, July 21. 

United States vs Vietnam odds

United States		Vietnam
-20,000	Moneyline	+5,500
+5,000	Draw	+5,000
Over 6.5 (-115)	Total	Under 6.5 (-120)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings on July 21, 2023.

United States vs Vietnam picks and predictions

For the sportsbooks, it’s not a matter of whether the U.S. women will win but by how much. Some books are not even offering the USWNT on the 3-way moneyline, while those who are have priced them in the -20,000 range. 

The goal-scoring markets are juiced beyond belief as well — so much so that players who are expected to come off the bench are priced at -200 or more. So finding some betting value in this one — with Vietnam expected to get trounced by the betting public — isn’t the easiest.

So instead of playing a gaudy spread, or trying to play things like Vietnam to hit the woodwork (yes, that’s an actual prop bet), I looked at the total market for our best bet.

As you’d expect, the standard total of 2.5 goals is out the window with the firepower at the USWNT’s disposal, but the Over 6.5 goals mark is very attainable for a few different reasons.

First of all, Vietnam have already suffered two defeats by seven or more goals in the past year when facing favorites in this year’s World Cup. Spain blew them out 9-0 just last week and they were trounced 7-0 by France in a friendly last summer. 

There’s also the possibility that the Americans leak a goal. Defender and captain Becky Sauerbrunn will be missing due to an injury, and Vietnam does have a few weapons in attack that could get in behind the American defense and get a goal or two.

But for me, it’s about what’s at stake. Group E is not an easy one, and the next two matches for the American women come against the Netherlands and Portugal. Those are two solid sides and goal differential could very well come into consideration depending on how those matches play out.

The USWNT knows they need to win emphatically, and you can look back just four years to see how they throttled Thailand 13-0. They played New Zealand earlier this season, another lower-ranked team in this tournament, and beat them by a combined scoreline of 9-0. 

That’s why your best bet is to go for 7+ goals to be scored, as the Americans come out with their foot squarely on the gas pedal and put Vietnam to the sword in what should be a massive blowout victory — and if Vietnam score a goal of their own, you avoid the pitfalls that could come with playing the spread. 

My best bet: Over 6.5 (-110 at DraftKings)

United States vs Vietnam same-game parlay

Over 6.5 (-110)

USA to keep clean sheet (-450)

Over 1.5 total goals each half (-250)

+160 at DraftKings

I fully expect the American women to score the seven goals on their own, and while Vietnam’s attack could cause some issues, I don’t think they’ll have enough to put a goal on the board. Combine that with what should be two high-scoring halves for the Yanks, and you’ve got a solid same-game parlay.

The USWNT have kept clean sheets in seven of their last eight matches this year, even without Sauerbrunn in the back line, and they’re going to pile the pressure so much that Vietnam is going to lack the requisite numbers going forward. 

To that end, as the Americans build the pressure, I expect them to score early and often. While it might take some time to break down the defense for the opener, I will be surprised if the Americans don’t have at least two goals at halftime.

Furthermore, they’re going to have plenty of dangerous players to bring off the bench as the match goes on, and players like Trinity Rodman are going to give Vietnam fits. That’s why I’ll take at least two goals to be scored in each half, giving us a solid same-game parlay paying out at +160. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

United States vs Vietnam moneyline and Over/Under analysis

The United States are favored to the point of not being playable — if even offered. Their odds do nothing to help a parlay, and there’s no point in even trying to play it. Should you fancy going for the upset of either a draw or Vietnam victory, you can get them at amazing prices of +5,000 and +5,500, respectively.

There's a good reason for those numbers. The Americans feature household and worldwide names like Alex Morgan, Julie Ertz, and Megan Rapinoe. They also have some extremely talented youngsters like Rodman and Sophia Smith, the reigning MVP of the NWSL.

Vietnam have little chance to do anything more than possibly keep it closer than the spread of 6.5 goals.  

The total of 6.5 goals is very high compared to the standard 2.5 number, and it opened closer to 5.5 before getting bet up by the public. This is a team that's going to come out firing early and often, and Vietnam is going to struggle to slow them down. 

Spain tore them to bits in a friendly and scored nine without breaking a sweat, and I don’t see much going differently on Friday. While I don’t know if the Americans will reach the double-digit mark as they did last tournament against Thailand, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them win that convincingly. 

United States vs Vietnam game info

United States vs Vietnam weather

Those in attendance at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand on Friday — or Saturday, for those in attendance — will be a bit chilly. Temperatures at kickoff, despite sunshine, will be in the mid-50s, and there’s not going to be any rain to bother anybody. Winds will be light, with gusts up to 20 mph that shouldn’t impact play. 

United States vs Vietnam key injuries

United States: No key injuries to report.
Vietnam: No key injuries to report.

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