England vs Australia Predictions, Odds, and Picks: Clash of the Titans

The Australia-England rivalry has a long, heated sports history — and there’s nothing like a World Cup semifinal to spark a new women’s soccer chapter.  

After a group stage scare, the Matildas have found their feet, cruising past Denmark and surviving a dramatic penalty shootout against France in the last round. Sam Kerr’s return has been a boost, but her teammates have shown they’re capable of leading the charge.

The co-hosts will need to be at their very best on Wednesday against an England team that’s unbeaten in this tournament. It’s a third straight World Cup semifinal appearance for the Lionesses, but they had to come from behind in their 2-1 quarterfinal victory against Colombia, with Alessia Russo netting the winner.

Read on for our free Australia vs England picks and predictions ahead of this huge August 16 clash.

England vs Australia odds

England		Australia
+130	Moneyline	+250
+200	Draw	+200
Over 2.5 (+170)	Total	Under 2.5 (-225)

Odds courtesy of bet365 on August 15, 2023.

England vs Australia picks and predictions

So, here we are — the “Aussies” against the “Poms” in a colossal semifinal showdown that should serve up the most electric atmosphere of the tournament in Sydney. It’s set up to be an all-time classic.

Tactically, there are few secrets for either team heading into this contest. Not only did they square off in April (a 2-0 Australia win) but there will be plenty of club teammates facing each other, with Caitlin Foord and Alessia Russo at Arsenal, Sam Kerr and Millie Bright at Chelsea, Mary Fowler and Lauren Hemp at Manchester City and so on.

With Lauren James suspended for England, Australia appear to have a slight edge in attack, but both teams have been rock solid defensively for the majority of this tournament. The playmakers will have their moments, but I see scoring chances coming at a premium with tireless battles in midfield.

Neither nation will be deterred by going the distance on Wednesday — they’ve both faced a penalty shootout on their paths through the knockout rounds and will feel comfortable turning to impact subs. Big-game nerves shouldn’t be discounted either, with a World Cup final within reach, and that could turn this into a scrappier contest.

Two talented, evenly-matched teams will take the field at Stadium Australia — and that feels like a recipe for a tight, tense draw (and more drama to follow).

My best bet: Draw (+200 at bet365)

England vs Australia same-game parlay

Draw (+200)

Caitlin Foord Over 0.5 shots on target (-175)

England to qualify (-163)

+700 at bet365

While I’ve grabbed the odds for a draw after 90 minutes, there are too many quality attackers on show here to predict a dreary stalemate. Foord has been one of the breakout stars of the tournament, helping to fill the void left by Kerr’s calf injury, and she’ll be a threat to the Lionesses’ defense with her ability to cut inside from the left wing. Look for Foord to test England keeper Mary Earps at some stage on Wednesday.

Though Australia should have the benefit of a noisy home crowd acting as a 12th player, I’m still taking England’s big-game experience as the X-factor, either in extra time or on penalties.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

England vs Australia spread and Over/Under analysis

As expected with two evenly matched teams, you can find plus odds for all three outcomes, and this feels like a cagey battle that both sides will relish. Australia have steadily improved at this tournament after a slow start but it’ll be worth watching whether there are any weary bodies in gold jerseys after the grueling 120 minutes against France on Saturday. Of course, England went through a similar gauntlet in their Last 16 clash with Nigeria.

With all the tension and emotions in play, I see this heavyweight battle going beyond 90 minutes. Australia should take confidence from a 2-0 win over England in April, which ended their opponents’ 30-game unbeaten run, but I expect the Lionesses to be fueled by falling short in their past two World Cup semifinal appearances.

The biggest decision facing the Matildas is whether to bring Kerr into the starting lineup. They’re one step away from the final, but Tony Gustavsson has used his star striker as a substitute in the past two rounds. Kerr’s quality is unquestionable, but this is a selection headache if she’s still not quite 100% fit. The smart money says she’s on the field from the start.

While Australia’s 3-2 group stage loss to Nigeria was an ugly outing defensively, those are the only goals that the co-hosts have conceded at the tournament, with four clean sheets providing a platform for their dominant forwards. That screams Under with the added pressure of this huge stage.

England have scored in four of their five games Down Under and had a big possession edge against Colombia. It was a positive sign for Sarina Wiegman to see forwards Hemp and Russo both on the scoresheet in that contest, but it’s tough to pick the Over on 2.5 total goals when the Lionesses’ game plan will surely tilt toward defensive solidity.

England vs Australia game info

England vs Australia key injuries

England: None.
Australia: None.

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