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Edgar Chaput
England vs Denmark Prediction, Women’s World Cup Odds
Both sides emerged victorious from their opening matches. The English squeezed by Haiti 1-0 in a contest that was much closer than many predicted. The Danes claimed a 1-0 win against China, scoring fairly late in a game that their opponents had control of during the first half.
The Women’s World Cup odds deem England as the favourites, having pegged them at -280 to Denmark’s +580. A draw is priced at +290.
England vs Denmark Betting Analysis
There isn’t a ton of history between these countries on the football pitch. They have met four times since 2005, with the English holding a 3-1 lead overall. The lone defeat came in 2017 in an International Friendly that went 2-1 to the Danes.
England has done well in the middle match of the group stage at World Cups. They have a 3-1-1 record on such occasions. Even the one black mark came a long time ago at the 1995 edition.
Denmark is back at the Women’s World Cup for the first time since 2007. In their four middle contests, they’ve tallied a 1-1-2 record. The country has not survived the group stage since 1999 and was absent from the 2011, 2015, and 2019 editions. A win over England would be historic, not only for defeating a favoured opponent but ensuring passage to the knock-out round for the first time in 24 years.
England
When previewing the England-Haiti match, we concluded by stating that either the Lionesses would put on a demonstration of force and handle their business or the Haitians, clear-cut underdogs, would go all out and see what happens. Interestingly, the match was more of the latter than the former.
England’s defence got burned on a couple of early occasions in the contest. Had it not been for poor finishing from Haiti, it’s debatable whether or not England would heading into this second group stage challenge with three points. Even the lone goal carried an asterisk. Georgia Stanway’s 29th-minute penalty attempt was originally stopped by Haitian keeper Kerly Theus, but instant replay revealed the latter had jumped off her goal line too early. The kick had to be retaken, and Stanway made sure her second effort would not be denied.
As the game grew on, England took over, controlling the ball for 75 per cent of the time and mustering 11 shots on target. It was a workmanlike performance, good enough to earn the spoils, but most fans might not remember the game fondly.
Denmark
Against China, the Red and White found themselves in a similar situation as the English. For a while, it looked as though it could be the Chinese’s game for the taking but as the clock ticked on the Danes found their confidence and rhythm.
Keeper Lene Christensen was called into action on a couple of key occasions created by the Chinese. Thankfully she stood her ground, preserving the 0-0 score on the board and giving her side a chance. It was a fairly even contest, with the Danes only coming alive in the second half. A few excellent chances were either saved or deflected out of bounds by the Chinese defence. Denmark left it very late, as substitute Amalie Vangsgaard headed off a corner kick in the 89th that floated into the net. A couple of Danish players almost interfered with China’s keeper on the play, but not enough to get the referee to blow her whistle.
