Australia vs England predictions: Defences should stand firm in Sydney
- England have lost only one of their last 37 internationals
- Three of England’s five World Cup games have featured one goal or fewer
- Recommended Bet: Under 1.5 goals
Having made history by winning their first European Championships in 2022, England are hoping to go one step further and be crowned world champions.
The Lionesses are into the final four of the World Cup after coming from behind to defeat Colombia 2-1 in the quarter-final and the next obstacle for Sarina Wiegman’s girls is against co-hosts Australia.
Just as England did in the last 16 against Nigeria, Australia needed penalties to see off their quarter-final opponents France.
After a goalless draw, the Matildas defeated France 7-6 in a dramatic shootout, building on their 2-0 win over Denmark in the last 16.
This semi-final showdown in Sydney promises to be a tense affair and despite Australia having home advantage, England are favourites to progress to the final.
Team news
Australia’s star striker Sam Kerr was not fit to start for the co-hosts but she did come on as a substitute in the quarter-final victory over France.
Kerr is slowly but surely making her way back up to full fitness and the Chelsea star is likely to figure at some stage in this semi-final tussle, although it may well be from the bench.
After being sent off against Nigeria, Lauren James serves the second game of her suspension so is missing for the Lionesses, meaning Ella Toone is likely to retain her place.
Beth Mead, Frank Kirby and Leah Williamson were ruled out for England prior to the tournament.
The stats
These two have met five times down the years and both teams have won two meetings apiece with the other ending as a draw.
Australia won the most recent clash in April, prevailing 2-0 in a friendly at the Brentford Community Stadium with Kerr opening the scoring.
That is, however, England’s only defeat in their last 37 internationals.
England are unbeaten from their five matches at this year’s World Cup, whereas Australia were beaten 3-2 in the group stages by Nigeria, the team the Lionesses overcame on penalties in the last 16.
England have conceded only twice in five World Cup matches and although Australia conceded three against Nigeria, they have kept clean sheets in their other four outings.
Four of the five meetings between these sides have featured two or fewer goals and both teams have scored in only one of those games.
Prediction
Low-scoring matches have been a common theme for both Australia and England in this World Cup and, given the stakes, this semi-final showdown is unlikely to be any different.
England won two of their three group games 1-0 and they needed penalties in the last 16 against Nigeria after a goalless draw.
The Lionesses won 2-1 against quarter-final opponents Colombia but there were only eight shots on target throughout and it was a howler from Catalina Perez that allowed England to equalise on the stroke of half-time.
However, Australia have kept clean sheets in six of their last seven internationals and are more disciplined than Colombia defensively.
The Matildas showed that attribute in their goalless draw with France in the quarter-final, before prevailing on penalties, and it is easy to envisage these two cancelling one another out.
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