Women's World Cup Finals 2015: Championship Odds, Predictions and More

The USA will enter Sunday's 2015 Women's World Cup final as favourites over defending champions Japan, but after the shocking upset loss in 2011, don't expect the Americans to take their opponents lightly.

OddsShark has the Stars and Stripes as 1-3 favorites for Sunday's clash, while Nadeshiko Japan have been given odds of 11-5 after they struggled against England in the semi-finals. But the recent rivalry between the finalists has seen plenty of twists and turns, and there's no reason Japan shouldn't believe in their chances.

Star striker Abby Wambach had no intention of underestimating Japan, as reported by NBC Sports' Jeff Kassouf:

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We just beat the No. 1 team in the world in Germany and now we face Japan, another team that we have so much respect for. They have an amazing team and they’re the reigning World Cup champions so I think it’s going to be a fantastic final. Everyone will have to bring their ‘A’ game and whoever finishes their chances the most will come out on top. Hopefully it will be us.

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Here's a look at each team's major strengths and weaknesses, as well as full predictions for the final.

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Japan's unexpected win at the 2011 Women's World Cup was more than just a Cinderella story. The unfancied side shocked everyone by beating favourites Germany in the quarter-finals, cruising past Sweden in the semi-finals and twice coming back from a one-goal deficit to force a penalty shootout against the USA.

One year later, the Stars and Stripes beat Japan in the gold-medal game, but the two don't compare. The World Cup is what really matters, and Aya Miyama and Carli Lloyd have already started the mind games, via Fox Sports 1:

Miyama leads Japan with two goals this tournament, a testament to their incredible depth and team-first approach. Nadeshiko Japan attack the box with numbers, work the ball around really well and don't rely on their biggest stars to make the difference.

Possession is key for the side, and the battle in midfield will be important. In Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe, the USA have two powerful midfielders capable of breaking up attacks in a hurry and launching on the counter, and if Japan can't establish their usual dominance in midfield, the Yanks will have a great chance of winning this match.

Physically speaking, the advantage lies with the Stars and Stripes―by a wide margin. Japan defend the way they attack, choosing numbers and technicality over brute force, and while that usually works to perfection when the ball stays on the ground, they're susceptible to lapses in concentration on crosses and set pieces.

England managed to break up the attacking flow well in midfield, showing Japan can be beaten at their own game, but the Lionesses didn't attempt to take advantage of their weakness against crosses enough. USA manager Jill Ellis has shown she knows how to exploit key areas of weakness―expect her to send her full-backs way up the pitch and launch plenty of crosses early.

Alex Morgan celebrated her birthday earlier this week, and beating Japan in Sunday's final would be the ultimate gift her team could give her. The star forward hasn't been at her best during this World Cup, but speaking to Sirius XM FC, Rodney Marsh wouldn't be shocked if that changes on Sunday:

The Americans' biggest stars have been kept unusually quiet during the 2015 Women's World Cup, and more often than not, it is these players who make the difference in a final. Morgan in particular simply has to do better, which won't be easy against Japan's tight defending.

Fortunately, the American defence has more than held up its side of the bargain. The team has conceded just a single goal all tournament long, and along the way, goalkeeper Hope Solo tied a World Cup record, per the team's official Twitter account:

The record is there for the taking, but in order to achieve it, Julie Johnston and Co. will have to keep Japan from scoring―something no team has managed during the World Cup.

Final Prediction

Japan have tons of technical ability and the speed to trouble the American defence, but ultimately, the USA's size should prove the difference. Ellis will exploit Japan's struggles to defend set pieces, avenging the loss in the 2011 World Cup. USA 2-1 Japan.

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