USA had to ride their luck at times when edging out England but that game seemed on a different level to the second Women’s World Cup semi-final won by the Netherlands. The holders look visually fitter than the European champions, possess more tactical nous and have some lethal finishers up front.
England were left to rue some key moments that went against them in their Women’s World Cup semi-final but can bounce back to claim third place by beating Sweden. The Scandinavians have a day less to recover from a gruelling extra-time loss at the last-four stage and that could prove significant.
England face the acid test of their Women’s World Cup credentials when facing holders USA in the semis, but we’re backing them to rise to the challenge. The Lionesses have held their own against the Americans in the SheBelieves Cup over the past few years, including when drawing 2-2 this March.
We’ve reached the quarter-finals stage with our Women’s World Cup predictions and are eyeing a 13/2 double from the first two fascinating fixtures in this round. There has already been plenty of thrills and spills in France and the excitement only looks set to build at the business end of the tournament.
England’s match-winner in both the round-of-16 and quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup has been Manchester City jill of all trades Lucy Bronze. However, a semi-final meeting with 2011 champions Japan should mean that bronze is what they end up rivalling Germany for on final weekend, rather than fighting USA … Read more
England have a generous portion of history to overturn if they are to dump Norway out of the Women’s World Cup in Ottowa. Mark Sampson’s Lionesses have made it to the quarter finals in three of their previous six appearances at the tournament but, with a round of 16 included … Read more
Football fanatics suffering from withdrawal symptoms upon the final whistle of the Champions League final will not have long to wait for their next dose of intrigue. If Juventus’ clash with Barcelona goes into extra time there will be but minutes between its conclusion and the start of the 2015 … Read more
Despite not winning in the last three attempts over Japan, Sweden are favourites to pull it off on this occasion and make the World Cup final.
A bet on Germany to see off Japan and reach the semi-finals looks an attractive prospect.
USA face their toughest test thus far but are still favourites to beat Sweden. A free £25 bet on a win for the Yanks would return £39.75.
Backing both of these high-scoring sides to hit the back of the net in the first half could returns £124 for those using bwin’s free £25 bet.
Both sides are out of the competition but will play for pride, with bwin making Canada odds on favourites for the win.
Mexico must emerge victorious against the Football Ferns to keep the pressure on England and bwin offers odds of 11/10 that El Tricolor will do just that.
England need just a point against Japan to progress from the group stage of the Women’s World Cup.