And then there were four. The race for the 2019 Women’s World Cup is well and truly on – and all four remaining teams will fancy their chances of glory.
Lifting the showpiece trophy in women’s football is the ultimate goal for every player involved this summer and they are now just 90 minutes away from a date with destiny in Lyon on July 7th.
The United States (22/25) stand in the way of a first Women’s World Cup final for England. Team USA are widely regarded as the best female team around and Jill Ellis will have her players fired up and primed for a huge effort on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, Phil Neville will try to conjure up a plan to stop the USA in their bid to secure back-to-back World Cup titles.
In the second Women’s World Cup semi-final, the Netherlands face Sweden in what could be a fascinating encounter. Holland were crowned European champions in 2017 but this is their first appearance in a World Cup semi-final.
Meanwhile, Sweden have reached the semi-finals in two of the previous four tournaments and that experience could be key.
So, let’s take a look at both Women’s World Cup 2019 matches. There is so much at stake for all four nations and it is an exciting time for the women’s game. Fingers crossed for lots of goals and excitement – there’s no hiding place at this stage of the competition.
ENGLAND vs UNITED STATES
Can England’s Lionesses do what England’s men failed to do last summer and reach a World Cup final? Based on their performance in the last eight, you’d have to say that Phil Neville’s side have every chance. Sit back, relax and watch what could be a fantastic contest…
England never really got out of first gear in the group stages but the Lionesses took their game to new heights in their 3-0 victory over Norway last time out. Ellen White has been as consistent as ever in front of goal and she could pip her rivals to the Golden Boot award.
The 16/5 available for England to win in 90 minutes is tempting. Defensively, the Lionesses are robust and the United States will have to work hard to break England down. Team USA haven’t come up against an attacking unit like England this summer and that could play into England’s hands.
With Germany suffering a shock defeat in the quarter-finals, Team USA’s route to a fourth Women’s World Cup trophy is a little easier. 888sport football betting odds have the United States at 3/4 to win the tournament this summer and they are looking scarily good.
They set a new record for the biggest win in World Cup history in the group stages, putting 13 goals past a hapless Thailand. Since then, the USA have been much more efficient though they did come under late pressure from hosts France in the previous round.
However, Ellis’ side repelled the waves of French attack and confidence is high ahead of this clash with England. The 11/10 for over 1.5 United States goals on Tuesday night should be snapped up ahead of this Women’s World Cup semi-final.
NETHERLANDS vs SWEDEN
The Netherlands will be confident of reaching their first Women’s World Cup final this summer – and who could blame them? With five wins from five games, Holland have been one of the standout teams and they deserve to feature in the showpiece.
We’ve had some low-scoring matches in the 2019 competition but the Netherlands tend to consistently score goals. With two or more goals in four of their five games, backing Holland to score over 1.5 goals at 29/20 could be the way to go.
Holland have won the last two meetings between the sides without conceding a goal and it may prove prudent to back that outcome again here. Punters can get 13/5 for Netherlands to win to nil on Wednesday night – that may be the best bet of the semi-finals.
Sweden came from behind to defeat Germany in the quarter-finals and it would be unwise to write Peter Gerhardsson’s side off completely. Capable of holding their own at this level, Sweden could spring another Women’s World Cup shock.
With just one defeat so far this summer, Sweden have been consistently strong and Holland will be wary of an upset. They have had the beating of Sweden in recent years but this is the World Cup semi-finals and anything can happen.
888sport’s latest football betting odds have Sweden at 9/4 to win in 90 minutes. A second Women’s World Cup final appearance beckons if the Swedes get their game plan right – the Netherlands aren’t invincible and Sweden could exploit their weaknesses.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*