UK: 18+ USA: 21+ | Begambleaware.org | T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly
The co-hosts of the 2023 Women’s World Cup Australia finally broke their duck and reached the semifinals of a World Cup for the first time in their history. To do that they needed to survive the drama a 20-penalties shootout vs France in their fourth World Cup quarterfinal experience. Now they are up against a familiar foe England. The Lionesses needed 2 dramatic knockout wins themselves to reach for the third time running the World Cup semifinals. Which of these two teams will qualify for their first-ever World Cup final? Here are our Australia vs England women predicted lineups and the latest team news.
The game is scheduled for Wednesday, August 16th and will be played in Sydney, Australia at the Australia Stadium. The kick-off time is 11:00 am GMT.
Australia women predicted lineup: Are the Matildas hungry for more?
The Matildas responded in the most convincing of ways to their shocking defeat vs Nigeria in round 2 of the group stage. Put under pressure and in need of a win they trashed Olympic champions Canada 4-0 in their final game of the group and with 2 wins in 3 they finished first. Despite missing their best striker Sam Kerr in all 3 group matches the Aussies found a way to win twice.
Their confidence oozed in the round of 16 when they easily breezed past Denmark with a deserved 2-0 win. Oh, and guess what Sam Kerr was back! Australia’s all-time leading goalscorer came on for the final 10 minutes of the match vs Denmark to signal to the world that she still intends to take her own World Cup by storm.
In the quarterfinals vs France, a Player of the Match display from goalkeeper Arnold was needed to eventually see the Matildas triumph in a marathon penalty shootout. Hungry and pumped up by the crowd the Aussies look far from done.
The Matildas have every reason to feel confident heading into this semifinal. After all, only in April, they beat England 2-0 in a friendly.
Team news
The influential Chelsea striker Sam Kerr, arguably Australia’s best forward, is finally over a calf injury and she will likely be ready to start for the first time. The Matildas are a different beast to handle when Kerr plays, so watch out for them scoring goals at will once she steps on the grass.
Raso should keep her spot on the right flank and she is full of confidence after scoring 3 goals in the last 2 matches.
Australia Predicted Lineups (4-4-2):
Arnold – Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley – Raso, Gorry, Cooney-Cross, Foord – Kerr, Fowler
England predicted lineup: Can James-less Lionesses find a new Queen?
The Lionesses became one of only three teams to win all of their group-stage matches. They were sluggish in the first two of those. Got lucky to edge both Haiti and Denmark 1-0. The best display so far was undoubtedly in the 6-1 trashing of China. The James-led rout that finally displayed the true capabilities of the English women when they play their best football.
England boss Sarina Wiegman shifted from a 4-3-3 shape to 3-4-3 for the last game of the group. This worked a treat and the Lionesses used the same formation in the round of 16 vs Nigeria. However, the display in the first knockout test was poor and England got lucky. They reached the penalty shootout after goalless 120 minutes, with Nigeria hitting the woodwork twice and England’s big star this tournament James shown a red card at the end of regulation time. Still, with luck helping in the shootout too England prevailed.
Still, England kept the 3-4-3 shape for the quarterfinal vs Colombia. Another shaky showing was on offer though. Once again, luck and some gritty defending late on helped the Lionesses to win 2-1 after coming from behind. Only 1 of England’s 5 matches so far this tournament offered a solid display. Yet, the Lionesses are again the semis.
The atmosphere in the Lionesses den, for this tournament is the 4-star Crowne Plaza Hotel on the Gold Coast, is positive despite the selection troubles:
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 24, 2023
Team news
The team’s main ball handler and key playmaker Keira Walsh is expected to play despite her recent injury. The Barcelona midfielder is obviously not 100% fit but the news coming from the English camp is that she will be given an injection and asked to play again.
One player that will be very hard to replace is the suspended Lauren James. She’s having an amazing debut at World Cups and has been directly involved in 6 of England’s first 8 goals – 3 goals and 3 assists.
Her absence is a huge blow for an already stagnating front line. It seems it will be a toss between Kelly and Toone for a starting role instead of James.
England Predicted Lineups (3-4-3):
Earps – Carter, Bright, Greenwood – Bronze, Walsh, Stanway, Daly – Toone, Russo, Hemp
Subscribe to Punditfeed on Google News for all the latest updates from the world of sports!
