England and Denmark both come into this Group D clash off the back of 1-0 wins making their Friday showdown in Sydney a de facto decider for the section.
The Danes had to work hard and rely on an 89th minute winner to sink China last time out, whereas the Lionesses could and should have scored more past Haiti despite looking short of sharpness against Les Grenadiers.
Sarina Wiegman’s side need to step up on their opening showing if they’re to resemble serious challengers in this competition and they will – just don’t expect the floodgates to open.
England vs Denmark Women’s World Cup best bets
England to win and Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 7/4
England to win to nil @ 20/21
Chloe Kelly to assist a goal @ 7/2
Get the latest Women’s World Cup odds at Betzone
A feast far from likely for Lionesses against competitive opposition
England are just 2/5 for victory despite their win over Haiti being far from convincing and Denmark having beaten top 15 FIFA ranked opponents in China.
Chancing England to win and under 2.5 total goals looks like a promising way to get a bit more value, with seven of the Danes’ last eight matches featuring two goals or less. That includes both defeats they suffered in that sequence, 1-0 to Germany and 2-0 to Spain.
The Danes will push the Lionesses much harder than Haiti did, but England should prevail on a form line through Germany, who both sides played at Euro 2022. The Germans thrashed Denmark 4-0 in the group stage, but lost to England after extra time in the final.
Wiegman’s outfit were profligate in their Group D intro, registering no fewer than 11 shots on target for a one-goal return, whereas their opponents in Sydney scored with one of just two efforts on target against China. That imbalance of creativity should pay off in England’s favour.
Bet: England to win and Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 7/4
Earps can collect another clean sheet against dour Danes
FIFA Best Goalkeeper for the 2021/22 campaign Mary Earps was capable on the rare occasions she was called upon versus the Haitians and could be due another test of concentration against adversaries that lack goal power against top tier opponents.
Two-time UEFA Women’s Player of the Year winner Pernille Harder is a notable exception to that rule, but was fortunate to come away from the game against China with an assist to her name – Amalie Vansgaard’s header from her deep corner was fluffed by China keeper Xu Huan.
Denmark have managed a total of three goals across their last four games and that’s enough to suggest England, with fit again centre-half Millie Bright growing in confidence, can shut them out.
Bet: England to win to nil @ 20/21
Cross machine Kelly a great assist price vs favourite Hemp
Lauren Hemp is 2/1 favourite to assist an England goal but the Manchester City forward was subbed on the hour mark against Haiti without a key pass to her name.
Georgia Stanway (11/4) managed four, but preference is for Hemp’s City teammate Chloe Kelly who played two key passes against the Haitians alongside firing in a game high 11 crosses, six of which were deemed ‘accurate by Opta.
Only Chelsea’s Guro Reiten managed more than Kelly’s nine assists in the WSL season just gone and the 25-year-old Londoner evidently still has that creativity coursing through her now.
Bet: Chloe Kelly to assist a goal @ 7/2
