- Team form: North Carolina Courage have won three and lost two of their last five matches but come into this on the back of back-to-back defeats.
- Recent form: Utah Royals are in similar form, having won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five, with a 1-0 home win over Orlando Pride last time out halting a mini-run of two defeats from three.
- Head-to-head: Utah have failed to win each of their previous two away trips to North Carolina.
Courage can make the most of home advantage
Home and away form
North Carolina have three wins, one draw, and three losses in their seven home matches in NWSL 2026, but can make the most of their home advantage on Saturday against an inconsistent Utah Royals. Utah have three wins, three draws, and two losses on their travels this season, averaging 1.50 goals scored and 1.12 goals conceded away from home.
Recent results
Courage's last three results have seen them beat Seattle Reign FC 3-1 at home, lose 2-0 at home to Washington Spirit and go down 3-0 away to Bay FC.
Utah Royals have had a similar pattern of results, with a 3-2 defeat at Chicago Stars, a 3-1 defeat at home to Gotham FC and a 1-0 win at Orlando Pride making up their most recent three matches.
Standings and odds
The hosts are 8th in the table with 21 points from 14 games, while Utah are 5th with 27 points from 15, so the advantage clearly lies with the visitors, but Courage can get a result at 2.11, while Utah are 3.03 and the draw is 3.36.
A tight game on the cards
North Carolina boss Mak Lind has done a good job since his appointment on 24 January 2026, with his pragmatic 4-2-3-1 system allowing the team to change shape through the game depending on whether the opposition are holding or pressing. Utah boss Jimmy Coenraets has been in charge since 3 July 2024 and his team are also set up in a 4-2-3-1 system that is based on organised pressing and quick vertical breaks after turnovers.
Both of these sides will be keen to control the tempo of this match, so it should be a midfield battle where the winner will be the one who can press effectively and not be caught by half-space runs. Courage will attempt to make the game slow and controlled by playing out from their mid-block and breaking forward with the full-backs, while Utah will look to force errors with their pressing play.
North Carolina have the edge
This looks a really tough match to call as both teams are very similar in style and capability, but North Carolina have the home edge and the odds reflect that with the hosts a slight favorite at 2.11. The draw is available at 3.36, so that can be avoided and an upset is possible given Utah have failed to win either of their two previous away trips to North Carolina.
- A safer bet for this match may be Both Teams to Score at 1.65, but there is a live bet on Over 2.5 goals should the match open up later on.
- Ashley Sanchez has been in good form for North Carolina recently, scoring three goals in her last five appearances and she will have to be marked closely here as she is the one player that has the finish in the final third, something her team has been sorely lacking in recent weeks.
