Spain vs Zambia prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for Women's World Cup 2023 group stage

Spain hope to continue their dominant start to the 2023 Women's World Cup as they take on Zambia in Group C play.

The European giants, ranked sixth in the world, dominated from start to finish in their opener against Costa Rica, picking up three points and putting themselves on the precipice of a knockout spot.

While Spain have yet to put their glutton of talent to use of yet, still without a showing past the Round of 16 at the Women's World Cup and disappointing at last summer's European championship, they are expected to compete for the title this year, thanks to a golden generation of world-class players.

Zambia, meanwhile, are in the process of tackling their first Women's World Cup appearance, and are in the early stages of growth in their global standing. They were hammered by Japan in the opening match by a 5-0 scoreline, and are now staring straight at one of the world's top sides.

Spain vs Zambia match facts

• Date: Wednesday, July 26
• Kickoff Time: 3:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. BST / 5:30 p.m. AEST
• Location: Eden Park (Auckland, New Zealand)
• Official: Hyeon-Jeong Oh (KOR)
• Last meeting: None (First meeting)

Spain vs Zambia prediction, odds

• Moneyline lean: Spain (-15000)
• Score prediction: Spain 5-0 Zambia

Zambia have been done no favours in the betting market, despite their positive pre-World Cup showings against Germany and Switzerland. The African side was blasted 5-0 by Japan in their opener, which erased all the positive vibes of their pre-tournament buildup.

Spain, meanwhile, pummeled Costa Rica 3-0 in their opening match. While the scoreline doesn't exactly read beatdown, it was a truly dominant performance, collecting a massive 4.99 xG tally, indicating they should have had much more.

Spain vs Zambia: best bet

• Pick: Spain -4.5 goal handicap
• Odds: +100 (BetMGM)

Backing any team to win by five or more goals is a dicey operation, but if there's any chance for that risk, it's here, with even-money odds and Zambia staring down a barrel.

The African side failed to register a single shot against Japan, despite completing 278 passes throughout the game. They will find it even tougher here, with Spain completely smothering Costa Rica, who completed just 74 passes against Spain, including just 25 in the opposition half.

Spain should have scored more against Costa Rica, missing a host of additional chances, and against Zambia's backup goalkeeper corps (their starter Catherine Musonda was sent off against Japan and is suspended here), it could be a cake walk.

Spain vs Zambia prop bet

• Pick: Alexia Putellas to score and assist a goal
• Odds: +192 (FanDuel)

Alexia Putellis is expected back on the field in full capacity for Spain, having trained with the team despite pouring rain on Sunday, and with a massive scoreline expected, she will almost surely be at the centre of it. In just 13 minutes of action against Costa Rica off the bench, Putellas ripped a shot on goal and completed all three dribble attempts, showing she's back to full strength from both her ACL tear and her World Cup fitness niggle, and hungry to get involved.

Spain's tactical setup encourages their midfielders to get involved in the attacking third, with Aitana Bonmati finding the back of the net in their opener on Friday.

We found success backing Alexandra Popp to score multiple goals while expecting Germany to wallop Morocco, and she came through as the European giants delivered a 6-0 victory. While Putellas has only ever scored multiple goals for the national team once in her career, she has a chance to produce multiple goal contributions for Spain here in a big victory.