England to threaten the holders in semi-final
The team to beat in the tournament and World Cup holders, USA, take on an England side in fine form and hungry to pull off an upset. America asserted their authority in the earlier stages against some inferior opposition and since have been tested in the knockout rounds, winning 2-1 versus France and Spain, giving England confidence that they are not untouchable. Having recovered from a physical battering against Cameroon in the round of 16, England dusted themselves down excellently to turn Norway over 3-0 and will not be underestimated by the Americans in this one.
Recent form
The victory over Norway was the Lionesses’ fourth consecutive clean sheet and made it back to back 3-0 wins in the knockout stages. Phil Neville’s side have achieved the semi-finals for the third major tournament on the trot. Whereas for Team USA this will be their eighth successive semi-final appearance in a World Cup. The most recent World Cup encounter dates back to 2007 for these nations, the US running out 3-0 winners, though the England Women’s national team has come on leaps and bounds since then. Beating the USA in the 2017 SheBelieves Cup 1-0 suggests that this is doable despite their underdog status.
Both nations have seen exactly three goals scored in their last two games as USA beat the hosts France and maintained themselves as top scorers in the competition, with 22 goals. However that statistic is somewhat skewed by their 13-0 demolition of Thailand in the groups.
England’s strengths
The Lionesses have been outstanding so far, with great outlets in attacking positions but their solid backline has been the standout. Conceding just the one goal in their tournament opener with local rivals Scotland, captain Steph Houghton has been the ultimate leader and partnered brilliantly by Millie Bright, the USA will have their work cut out trying to break them down. Not necessarily fancied as England’s biggest threat in an attacking sense before the World Cup, Ellen White has broken through and is having a fantastic run with five goals in her four matches so far. Having lost her place in the second group match she has come back in and established herself as the clinical forward the Lionesses have been crying out for.
Megan Rapinoe
The 33-year-old has a brace in each of her last two and in that has scored all of the US’s knockout goals so far. Now joint with Alex Morgan as top scorer, she looks to be the most dangerous player for England to deal with, coming off that left flank. It will be an intriguing matchup between her and Lucy Bronze and the winner of that battle out wide could have a massive effect on the outcome of this match, and who will take their place in the final to face either Sweden or the Netherlands.
A ding-dong battle will see the vastly experienced Americans edge out the Lionesses, however Neville and his players will be quietly confident of pulling off an upset.
England – USA Betting Tip
Both Teams to Score with Betfair at odds of evens.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Rejoice! Both teams came flying out of the blocks and it was 1-1 inside 20 minutes, confirming the outcome of this bet.