Norway Women vs England Women Predictions

England continued to do the business in France on Sunday afternoon, as they brushed a boisterous Cameroon outfit aside. Despite plenty of disruptions, the Lionesses kept their cool, let their football do the talking and progressed to the last eight without ever really looking like going out. Norway will prove much tougher to pass, though, so Phil Neville’s women may need to go up a gear.

While England were never in danger of going out against Cameroon, Norway came mightily close to being eliminated, as they required a penalty shootout to see off Australia. That said, while they were taken all the way to penalties by the Matildas, there was plenty to like about Norway’s performance last time out. Against a decent outfit, they created plenty of chances, posting 2.07 expected goals for, though they didn’t look overly secure at the back, as they surrendered 1.72.

Much of the same can be said for their group exploits. Naturally they saw off a weak Nigeria side without needing to get out of second gear, though their defensive efforts against both France and South Korea were questionable. Against France, Norway shipped two goals and 2.08 expected goals, while they conceded against the South Koreans also, giving up 1.61 expected goals. Such numbers should fill England’s front-line with hope.

England are yet to really be tested at this tournament; they’ve offered plenty going forward, scoring eight goals, and all the time they have Ellen White, who has been as good as anyone in France in terms of finding space and sticking the ball in the net, in their forward-line, Phil Neville’s women will carry a massive goal threat.

At the other end, they’ve only conceded once. However, for all Cameroon didn’t create a lot of clear-cut chances, they rather easily got in behind the Lionesses on a few occasions, which doesn’t bode well ahead of a game against Norway side that possesses one of the best attack-minded players at the tournament. With her effortless dribbling style, Caroline Graham Hansen caused the Aussie rear-guard numerous problems, so England will have to wary of her, that’s for sure.

From a betting point of view, this game appears to be a standout candidate for ‘Over 2.5 Goals & Both Teams to Score’, especially at the prices.

England’s attacking quality was there for all to see against Cameroon, though they certainly gave the impression that a strong side such as Norway could profit offensively. At the same time, the Norwegians have looked threatening going forward but also easy to break down. Add in the fact there’s been an average of 3.00 expected goals for in Norway’s games at this World Cup, alongside the fact that the pair average a combined 3.34 expected goals for, and it’s easy to feel that the chances of a high-scoring affair, where both teams find the net, are greater than the current odds would have us believe.