Will Colombia surprise even the European champions?

Already Lauren James is one of the tragic heroines of this Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand. With three goals and three assists, the sister of Chelsea star Reece James was the defining figure of the England team in the preliminary round before she lost her nerve briefly in the last 16 and was quite rightly sent off after an unnecessary kick. Without their top scorer, the European champions will now have to face the quarter-finals.

The absence of such a powerful midfielder, however, definitely does not change the very pronounced role of the favourites, which is clearly evident when looking at the England vs Colombia odds on the three-way market. The best bookmakers are convinced that the Wiegman side, who only made it to the last eight via a penalty shootout against Nigeria, will make it to the semi-finals.

By the way, if you want to bet on the last of the four quarter-final matches between England and Colombia at the Accor Stadium in Sydney at 12:30 on Saturday afternoon, that the “Lionesses” will achieve the rare double after their European Championship triumph and also take the crown at the World Cup finals, you can currently pick up a 3.40 at Bet365.

England – Statistics & current form

In the style of a top team, England have reached the quarter-finals of this Women’s World Cup 2023. However, this does not so much mean that the reigning European champions have ploughed through this tournament with exclusively convincing performances, but rather the maturity, impressive efficiency and nerves of steel that the team of the successful Dutch coach has displayed to date.

In the group stage, there were lacklustre 1-0 victories over Haiti and Denmark, followed by a 6-1 win over China, in which the “Lionesses” flexed their muscles for a moment. As group winners, they were finally drawn with Nigeria, a feasible opponent who demanded everything of the English women. Despite being outnumbered for more than 30 minutes after Lauren James was sent off, the favourites kept their noses clean and prevailed in the penalty shoot-out.

Offense wins games, Defence wins championships

True to the old credo that offence wins games, defence wins championships, Sarina Wiegman can currently rely on her own defence. The only goal conceded against the Chinese was a penalty kick. Goalkeeper Mary Earps has kept her clean sheet in the other games, so it might also be a good idea to predict that the South Americans will also go scoreless on Saturday between England and Colombia.

Regardless of that, the world number four from the motherland of football will go into this knockout match as heavy favourites. They have more individual quality, a wealth of experience in important matches and a fearsome statistic to boot. Since the start of 2022, the Lionesses have lost only one of 30 international matches! Including extra time and penalty shootouts, there have been 24 wins in the same period.

Predicted England line-up:

England (Expected line-up) 3-4-1-2

Colombia – Statistics & current form

Seven of the eight quarter-finalists would have been expected to make it to this late stage in the run-up to this World Cup. The only exception is Colombia, who have already celebrated a huge success by reaching the last 16. With a 1-0 win over Jamaica in their first knockout match, “Las Cafeteras” became only the second South African national team ever to reach the last eight of a World Cup.

But if coach Nelson Abadía has his way, that is not the end of the line. The fact is that the Colombians, who attracted attention with their 2-1 win over Germany in the group phase, can go into their quarter-final completely unpressured and unconcerned. Almost all experts expect the adventure against the co-favourites from the island to come to an end.

Is Colombia pushing their own limits after all?

Those who resist this assessment, meanwhile, can play odds in the region of 7.50 on the underdog winning after 90 minutes between England and Colombia. On the To-Qualify market, too, the payout is four times the stake in the event of Colombia reaching the semi-finals. The relatively new bookmaker Oddset also has suitable bets in its portfolio for many eventualities.

Although we are far from underestimating the runners-up of the last South American Championship after their recent performances, the bottom line is that “Las chicas superpoderosas” did not really leave a lasting impression either in their last group match against Morocco (0:1) or against Jamaica (1:0). Despite all the physicality, the toughness of the duels and the euphoria that has arisen, the quality advantages ultimately tip the scales in favour of the European champions, which is why we are making a confident prediction in the direction of Stanway, Williamso, Bronze and Co. between England and Colombia.

Predicted Colombia line-up:

Colombia (Expected line-up) 4-2-3-1

England – Colombia Direct Comparison / H2H Balance

The only direct clash between the national teams took place at the 2015 World Cup in Canada. Back then, England deservedly won the group stage 2:1. However, because eight years ago the players on the pitch were predominantly different and the coaches on the sidelines were also different, the cards will be reshuffled on Saturday. However, there can be no doubt that England will be the favourites

England – Colombia tip

Sometimes you don’t need convincing victories to underpin your role as favourites. In many cases, all that is needed is a certain feeling for the right moments, a bit of luck, experience and nerves of steel. The English women’s national team combines all these things like hardly any other team at this World Cup. And that’s how you become world champions…

Admittedly, it is far too early to praise the day before the evening, but there are good and understandable reasons why the lowest betting odds are being offered on the “Lionesses” as the new world champions before the quarter-final between England and Colombia. On the way to their second major triumph in 13 months, however, coach Sarina Wiegman’s charges first have to get the most glaring underdogs out of the way.

Because the South Americans are the surprise team par excellence, have sparked a huge euphoria at home and will also be supported by a strong following in Australia/New Zealand, we dispense with any frills in our main bet and therefore recommend betting on the favourites to win after 90 minutes between England and Colombia. The 1.55 is just about playable, but should not drop any further before kick-off.