Canada Women and Australia Women will battle it out for a place in the knockout rounds of the Women's World Cup 2023 when they go head-to-head in Melbourne on Monday.

The tournament co-hosts occupy third place in Group B and are one point adrift of Canada, who currently sit in second position.

Match preview

After being held to a goalless draw by Nigeria on Matchday One, Canada would have been concerned when they fell behind in the fourth minute of Thursday's meeting with the Republic of Ireland.

Katie McCabe scored direct from a corner to give the Girls in Green the early advantage, but the Canucks managed to pull themselves level just before the break courtesy of a Megan Connolly own goal.

With momentum in their favour, Canada took the lead through Adriana Leon in the 53rd minute, and they managed to see out the remainder of the contest to claim their first victory of the tournament.

Having made an unbeaten start to their campaign, the Canucks are hoping to make it out of the group stage for the third consecutive World Cup.

There is still work to do, though, with Canada requiring at least a point to guarantee their place in the last 16, while defeat would leave them requiring an Ireland win in the group's other match against Nigeria and a favourable swing in goal difference.

Australia's home tournament got off to the perfect start with a narrow 1-0 win over Ireland, but the co-hosts were brought back down to earth by Nigeria on Matchday Two.

The Matildas took the lead through Emily van Egmond in first-half stoppage time, before Uchenna Kanu quickly restored parity to ensure that the two sides headed down the tunnel on level terms.

Nigeria took Australia by surprise in the second period, as they netted twice in seven minutes to establish a 3-1 lead, and although Alanna Kennedy pulled a goal back deep into additional time, it proved to be little too late.

With Australia a point adrift of Canada and Nigeria, they need to claim all three points on Monday if they want to guarantee themselves a place in the last 16 for the fifth consecutive World Cup.

If they were to draw against Canada, Tony Gustavsson's side would need Ireland to beat Nigeria by a two-goal margin.

Team News

Kadiesha Buchanan will resume her central defensive partnership with Vanessa Gilles, while Jayde Riviere and Ashley Lawrence will operate as Canada's two full-backs.

After returning from injury to play the duration of the win over Ireland, Chelsea's Jessie Fleming will retain her place in midfield.

Christine Sinclair dropped out of the starting lineup on Thursday, but the world's all-time leader in international goals could be recalled for the final group game.

As for Australia, Chelsea striker Sam Kerr has confirmed that she is available after missing the first two games through injury.

If Kerr is fit enough to start against Canada, Caitlin Foord could drop into the number 10 role, with Hayley Raso and Cortnee Vine operating as the two wingers.

Aivi Luik and Mary Fowler were ruled out of the defeat to Nigeria due to concussion, but they will provide Gustavsson with additional options off the bench for Monday's encounter

Canada Women possible starting lineup:
Sheridan; Riviere, Buchanan, Gilles, Lawrence; Fleming, Quinn, Gross; Huitema, Leon, Sinclair

Australia Women possible starting lineup:
Arnold; Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley; Gorry, Cooney-Cross; Raso, Foord, Vine; Kerr

We say: Canada Women 1-2 Australia Women

Australia will be determined to avoid a group-stage exit at their own tournament, and with Kerr set to return to the fold, we think that the Matildas will have the firepower required to claim a crucial victory in front of their own supporters.

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