WHAT an odd sensation it was, last autumn, when we started to doubt the USWNT, believing them to be wounded, even erring towards the ordinary.

This after all was a nation that had won four of the previous eight World Cups, finishing runner-up and third in the other four. For a lifetime they had been a formidable behemoth of the women’s game, boasting the bulk of the sport’s legends.

We simply weren’t used to not being in awe of them.

It was three consecutive losses that set the alarm bells ringing, an event that had not happened since 1993, and around this time too the groups were revealed for the forthcoming World Cup and the US were paired with Holland, the team they beat in the 2019 final but dangerous all the same.

Could the USWNT fail to top Group E, leaving them with a trickier path in the knock-outs? That felt possible at the time.

Of course, a nation with such vast reserves of talent as America were always going to bounce back, and as importantly, regenerate. So it is that coach Vlatko Andonovski takes 14 players to their first ever World Cup, offering youthful adventure to a squad that also contains the household names, Horan, Morgan and the like.

It is a blend of next generation superstars and bona fide superstars who have quickly become imperious again, unbeaten in 2023 and winning the SheBelieves Cup into the bargain.

In their last eight fixtures they have conceded only once.

Finding value in the USWNT therefore is difficult, their supremacy hardly a secret, but it is possible when we focus on individuals.

Dennis Rodman’s daughter (yes, really) Trinity, is worth noting, her threat up front compensating for USWNT’s loss to injury of the prolific Mallory Swanson, but it’s Sophia Smith who really catches the eye. A recent assist against Wales was a fifth in 18 starts for her country and if last term’s MVP for Portland Thorns gets regular minutes she could be a stand-out star in Australia and New Zealand.

Back Smith in the Top Assists market at 6/1

Should the USWNT indeed top Group E their route to the latter stages looks assured so long as the projected finishes elsewhere go to plan, with Andonovski’s side not facing anyone of real quality until the semis, conceivably in the form of Spain.

La Roja too have overcome a tricky end to 2022 only in their case it was infinitely more substantial than a few defeats, with 15 of their players boycotting the national side in protest against their federation and coach.

This remarkable stand-off has in part been resolved but it still leaves Spain without their best keeper and centre-back.  What they do have though, back to the fray, are a returning trio of Barcelona greats in Ona Batlle, Mariona Caldentey and Aitana Bonmati, the latter a particularly crucial element.

A sumptuous midfielder who offers purpose and shape to Spain’s fluid fare, the 25-year-old orchestrates all that is good about them.

With two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas also back in action after suffering an ACL, La Roja should comfortably progress to the knock-outs and should be fancied too to go deep.

Given their recent upheavals however, do they have the harmony to go all the way?

Spain to be eliminated in the semi-finals is a decent shout at 2/1

Elsewhere, among the favourites, Germany are an obvious contender but though the usual caveats apply regarding Teutonic football and tournaments, DFB-Frauenteam appear to be enduring an identity crisis at present, with even their renowned defence letting them down.

Just two clean sheets in their last eight outings tells it own story with the narrative significantly worsening last Friday when last summer’s Euro finalists lost to Zambia in a World Cup warm-up. Conceding three times despite having 76% possession smacks of a team susceptible to counters and unsure of themselves up front.

What they do at least have in their favour is the most undemanding group of them all to navigate.

If we’re going off form incidentally then Brazil also prompt more concerns than encouragement, As Canarinhas disappointing in the SheBelieves Cup before losing to England on pens in the Finalissima.

Placed in a tough group that has France rightfully priced as firm favourites and a Jamaican side primed to surprise – look out for Manchester City striker Bunny Shaw, who scored 20 in 22 in the WSL last season – Brazil could well be ‘that’ team. You know the one. The big gun that shockingly exits early doors.

Staying with the groups meanwhile, Sweden should negotiate theirs with relative ease.

A treble backing Germany, France and Sweden to top their respective groups offers up 4/5

Which leaves us with the two most interesting case studies, they being Australia and England.

The host nation always fare well in this tournament, the previous eight all reaching at least the quarter final stage, and with Australia in possession of a golden generation, headed by the brilliant Sam Kerr, they have every chance of continuing this trend.

With Kerr going into the competition in outstanding form, on the back of winning the double with Chelsea, the Matildas won’t be remotely daunted by the prospect of facing Canada in their group, nor a possible match-up with China in the last 16. Beyond that though, France lie in wait.

Back Australia to be eliminated in the quarter-finals at 19/10

Then there’s England, the reigning Euro champions no less.

Sarina Wiegman’s side may look very different to last year’s iconic group, with Jill Scott and Ellan White retired and Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby and Beth Mead all injured, but Keira Walsh is still bossing proceedings, arguably the greatest of her ilk in the world.

What’s more, the Lionesses’ strengths remain the same from twelve months prior, possessing a coach who is tactically flexible, shrewd in the extreme, and utilising genuine threats running riot down the flanks.

So nerdily keen is Wiegman to solve problems she was probably secretly quite pleased when England finally ended their 30-match unbeaten streak recently in losing to Australia. It gave the coach who has reached the final of the last three major tournaments she has participated in a puzzle to mull over. It also matters that under the Dutch tactician, England will be one of the best prepared teams Down Under.

Out wide meanwhile, Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly are obvious tips to impress but Chelsea’s Lauren James is one hell of a Plan B to have. On her day, the winger is imposing and unplayable.

Last but by no means least, there is also the huge advantage of having a prolific striker up top, who scored for fun last season. Across 2022/23, Rachel Daly averaged a goal every 89 minutes for Aston Villa while, as back-up, Alessia Russo is more than capable of troubling the great and the good.

Back Daly to finish top goal-scorer Down Under at an extremely generous 17/1

So who ultimately wins the whole thing?

It’s perhaps pertinent that the USWNT and England cannot meet until the final. From there let’s let destiny decide.

USWNT are 5/2 to win a third consecutive World Cup. England tempt at 7/2