England to clinch top spot against an old foe

A point in the final group stage match would be enough for Phil Neville’s Lionesses to seal top spot in Group D and cap an excellent start to their World Cup campaign. There will be fuel to add to the fire in this next game also with some current England players out for revenge after going down in the 2015 World Cup semi-final to the Japanese. The last match between the two was a resounding 3-0 win for the Lionesses in the SheBelieves Cup where they raced into a three-goal lead before the interval.

Japan

History favours the English as the 2011 World Champions have a terrible record in the third group match of a World Cup, winning one and losing the other six. Though they have won their last five World Cup matches against European opposition. Having equaled England’s scoreline in beating Scotland 2-1 last time out. The Japanese have far greater pedigree in Women’s football than this up and coming England side, but I would expect their group stage to tail off in an all too familiar way with them still at risk of not progressing into the last 16. They could still miss out on goal difference should there be a three-goal swing between themselves and Argentina.

England

Neville has the option to rotate with a place in the next round guaranteed whilst still looking to preserve their 100% record in the tournament. His side have won back to back World Cup games for the first time in their history, a great accolade for the gaffer. They have also scored two or more goals in 14 of their 22 encounters under him. This clash will come down to which frontline fires on all cylinders and which fails to deceive the oppositions backline, with the match a lot more crucial to Japan.

Facts

Mana Iwabuchi’s opener against the Scots was her 12^th opening goal out of her last 18 strikes for her country. Jodie Taylor, England’s match winner in their 1-0 victory over the Argies, grabbed two assists in the most recent match between the two sides in the SheBelieves Cup. So, there are two individuals to look out for as they both look to get over the line and move their focus onto who they will play in the first knockout round.

England’s solidarity to continue in their toughest test yet. There will be no drop in motivation and Japan will have to work extremely hard if they are to get anything out of the game to progress from Group D.

Japan - England Betting Tip

Double Chance England to Win or Draw + Under 3 goals with Bet365 at odds of 10/11.

Bet Double Chance England to Win or Draw + Under 3 goals on Bet365