How to watch and odds

• Date: Saturday, August 5 | Time: 4 a.m. ET
• Location: Regional Stadium — Wellington, New Zealand
• TV: FS1
• Live stream: fubo (try for free)
• Odds: Japan -129; Draw +230; Norway +375

Storylines

Japan: After defeating Spain, Japan are among the favorites to win the World Cup because any player on the team can hurt you. With a flexible 3-4-3, Japan are able to keep balance while pushing teams into submission. Japan are pragmatic in their approach, but deadly when they decide to attack. Moeka Minami is keeping things controlled in defense making the joint most tackles on the team with six. Norway will have to find a way around her to pull out a victory.

Norway: Sophie Haug played a large part in helping Norway get here but Japan’s defense will offer a stiffer test than the Philippines did to get there. After starting the tournament on a low note, it’s unknown if the Norway that lost to New Zealand 1-0 or had a scoreless draw to Switzerland, or the one that dismantled the Philippines, will be the one to show up for this match. Regardless, they’ll need to be on their game to topple Japan.

Prediction

Japan will prove to be too strong in pulling out another victory in impressive fashion. Pick: Japan 3, Norway 0