Seemingly as quickly as it came together, this tournament will be over after today’s 12:30 p.m. ET Chicago Red Stars vs. Houston Dash NWSL Challenge Cup Final match on CBS. That also means today is the last chance to wager on an NWSL match for the foreseeable future.
Both of these clubs come into the match with some advantages and disadvantages. Despite that, there is a clear favorite at legal online sportsbooks in the US.
How to legally bet on Sunday’s NWSL Challenge Cup Final match
If you’re in or near one of 10 states, you can legally wager on NWSL Challenge Cup matches online; as long as you are of age (at least 21 in most states), physically located within the state’s borders (you do not have to be a legal resident of these states, merely there when you place your bet), and are placing your wager(s) with an operator licensed by that state. Here are the states:
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Nevada
- New Hampshire (minimum age is only 18)
- New Jersey
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
The online sports betting brands that are offering lines on these matches in these states include:
- BetRivers (Sugarhouse in New Jersey)
- DraftKings
- Oregon Lottery Scoreboard
- PointsBet
- William Hill
If you’re new to these sportsbooks; you can register for an account online in just a few minutes and with a few pieces of information, except for in Iowa and Nevada. Those two states require bettors to visit a retail sportsbook associated with the sportsbook app of their choice to complete your registration.
Handicapping Chicago vs. Houston
Chicago is the consensus favorite on Sunday. The Red Stars have taken victories from Houston in six of the last 14 matches, including three in a row. Both clubs come into Sunday even in goal differential, and this is the second consecutive year in which Chicago has appeared in an NWSL final.
Perhaps most importantly, the Red Stars finally put together their attack in the semifinals against Sky Blue FC. The three goals, two that came within a four-minute span, surpassed Chicago’s production from all four seeding matches and the quarterfinals.
The question is whether the Red Stars can repeat that performance enough to overcome a Dash side that has come up big in clutch moments again and again. Houston keeper Jane Campbell’s stat line is nearly as impressive as Chicago keeper Alyssa Naeher’s so far, and the workload for both has been quite similar.
For that reason, goals may again be at a premium in the championship match. In fact, in 18 of the last 19 NWSL matches, the total goals went under 2.5. With Campbell and Naeher in goal plus the talented defensive lines in front of them, there’s little reason to expect this match won’t make it 19 of the last 20.
Breaking down the odds
The best line on Chicago to win in regular time is at William Hill, where it’s currently +125. If you’re inclined to think this match will head into penalty kicks, William Hill is your pick there as well, as the line on a draw in regular time is +190 there.
William Hill completes its sweep on the 3-way moneyline with the longest odds on a Houston win in regular time at +260. The same book has the best action on a totals market of Under 2.5 goals at -250 as well.
If you’re looking for a greater risk with more reward, some of the Correct Score lines should intrigue you. BetRivers/Sugarhouse and DraftKings have +500 odds on a 0-0 or a 1-1 draw at full time, for example.
If PointsBet is your book of choice, I’d recommend the Match Result and Both Teams To Score market. Payouts range from +225 to +850 there.
As far as my pick in this match goes, it’s hard to pick against Chicago’s experience and the ability to play at a high level when it’s necessary that they demonstrated in the semifinal. I’m taking the Red Stars 2-1 in regular time.
Whether you put down a bet or not, this NWSL Challenge Cup Final match is sure to be a fitting end to the NWSL Challenge Cup. Hopefully, we’ll see these clubs on the pitch again soon.
Follow me on Twitter @dhellingsport. Be sure to check out Beyond Women’s Sports for more articles on amazing women and their sport.
