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Edgar Chaput
Australia vs England Prediction, Women’s World Cup Odds
While there will surely be some English supporters at Australia Stadium on Wednesday morning (ET), it goes without saying that the majority of attendees will be willing the Matildas to victory, thus earning a place in Sunday’s grand finale.
As with the other semi-final, there is no heavy favourite for Wednesday’s match. England is currently pegged at +126 on the World Cup odds and Australia at +225. A draw is set at +205.
Australia vs England Betting Analysis Odds
The Matildas and Lionesses have met six times already at various competitions. England has claimed victory thrice, the Australians twice, with one draw between them. The last significant encounter occurred at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the quarter-finals, with the Oceania side winning a breathtaking 4-3 match in extra time.
The Aussies have already achieved new heights at this year’s edition. Never had they reached a World Cup semi-final. Australia suffered elimination three times at the quarter-finals stage from 2007 through 2015. In France in 2019 they reached the Round of 16.
England’s history at this tournament is one of incremental improvements. From non-participants at the inaugural 1991 tournament to bronze medal matches in 2015 and 2019. They earned the medal in Canada (2015) but fell to Germany in France (2019).
Australia
The magical run continues. No one disputes that playing a World Cup on home soil provides extra energy to push harder, stronger, and faster. It isn’t that the Matildas entered the tournament as a lowly-ranked side (they were a very respectable 10th). Rather, their performances against some of the world’s best sides have surprised many. The 4-0 thrashing of seventh-ranked Canada was arguably the moment when the team announced that it wasn’t content to merely host the globe in its backyard.
The elimination of France in the quarter-finals was another step towards proving how potent the squad is. Granted, the contest was decided by penalties, but those who watched the contest would attest to the fact that it was the hosts who fought a bit more brightly and with a bit more spirit. Real Madrid forward Hayley Raso leads the side with three goals so far, followed by Gunners defender Steph Catley. The side’s beating heart is Sam Kerr, who hasn’t played much due to injuries, but whose presence appears to feed energy to her teammates.
England
Of the four semi-finalists (Spain, Sweden, Australia, England), England are the ones who have impressed the least. There is an old saying that speaks to saving one’s best for last. Now would seem like a good time for the Lionesses to put that adage into practice.
Apart from the 6-1 demolition of China in the final group stage game, England hasn’t quite looked the part of the world’s fourth-best side. There have been significant portions of contests when they were evidently the second-best team on the pitch. None of that changes the fact that they are here, having done just enough to earn their place in the final four.
Lauren James will miss her second consecutive game due to FIFA punishment. Alessia Russo helped England get this far by scoring the winning goal against Columbia in the quarter-finals and she seems well equipped to fill in big shoes on the attack. It’s the backline of Millie Bright, Alex Greenwood, and Jessica Carter that will have to be at the ready.
