32 teams came and now four remain as we reach the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup. With 7,200,000 watching eyes on ITV’s coverage of England’s quarter-final clash with Colombia, it is safe to say there is going to be a lot of interest in Wednesday’s encounter with host nation Australia. I am hoping to back up my winning predictions from the quarter-final, where those of you who read will know I tipped England to win and both teams to score at 7/2 and England to win 2-1 at 15/2!
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The Lionesses made us sweat again on Saturday morning when they went 1-0 down to Colombia in the 43rd minute, but a timely response from Lauren Hemp with virtually the last kick of the first-half did a lot to settle the nerves. England were certainly tested by Colombia and on the whole the defence stood up pretty well, other than an audacious goal from Leicy Santos (which I’m still undecided whether it was meant to be a cross), and that was the perfect preparation for this match. The Colombian fans outnumbered The Lionesses in front of a packed out audience of 75,000 in Sydney, with 40,000 of those numbers understood to be Colombian fans. To come through a hostile environment like that should stand them in good stead and it is a little taster of what to expect when they face the host nation Australia. The Matilda’s will be looking to drain every ounce of that home advantage to help get their team over the line, knowing that their squad might not be as technically gifted as ours.
Ella Toone is once again expected to slot into the midfield in the absence of the suspended Lauren James and I expect Sarina Weigman to go with the same eleven that started on Saturday. This should be our stiffest test yet and it is the first time in this tournament that England go into a game not being an odds on favourite (11/8 to win inside 90 minutes). Although we haven’t played the exciting football that we were hoping to play over the course of the competition (except China), we have seen it in parts, our steely determination and organisation has been evident, and that has been able to carry us this far. At this cut-throat stage it isn’t about the performance, it’s about getting over the line by any means possible. The grit shown throughout the first five games so far is going to be needed once more and our defence will need to be at its best again.
The Matilda’s passage to this match has been very impressive, topping a group made up of Nigeria, Canada and the Republic of Ireland. Since then they have toppled Denmark (2-0) in the last 16 and took a huge coup in knocking out France in a nail biting quarter-final penalty shootout. A big concern for Tony Gustavvson is the fitness of star player Sam Kerr who was unable to start against France. Kerr has struggled throughout the tournament with a calf injury and is eager to start this game, there will be millions of Aussie’s hoping that their talisman is in full flight and there is a noticeable difference in the atmosphere in the grounds when Kerr is on the pitch. In her absence though Australia have stood up to the test and should there be any issues with Kerr they have proven they can adapt, much like The Lionesses have had to do for this tournament. As is common down under there are a few things that England need to be worried about, Hayley Raso (3) and Steph Catley (2) have amassed five goals between them and they will be looking to add to that tally. A potential measuring stick for this game could be Australia’s 3-2 defeat in the group stage against Nigeria, whom England scraped to a penalty shootout victory against in the last 16.
Match Stats
- England are ranked fourth in the FIFA world rankings.
- Australia are ranked 10th in the FIFA world rankings.
- The last time the teams met Australia won 2-0 in a pre tournament friendly in April.
- For the first time in the tournament England are not odds on to win a match.
- England and Australia have played each other on four previous occasions with one win for Australia, two wins for England and one draw.
Betting Predictions
I am expecting a fantastic match here and I am anticipating The Lionesses to come through it but it will take a lot out of the team. I can see this being a really well fought game and both teams getting on the scoresheet.
24/1 Bet Builder with Paddy Power
- Both teams to score
- Over 2.5 match cards
- Over 9.5 match corners
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Australia vs England Predictions
Here is our Bet Builder For the Women World Cup 2023 match
I also think that England to win and both teams to score at 11/2 with William Hill is particularly good value.
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Australia vs England Predictions
Good value on backing England to win and both teams to score on Wednesday
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