We are right at the business end of the World Cup with semi-final places now up for grabs and it promises to be an intriguing game between England and Norway in Miami on Saturday.
The Three Lions have won the competition only once, way back in 1966, but they have reached two semi-finals since, most recently in 2018 when they were beaten by Croatia in extra-time.
They earned their spot in the last eight by coming out on top of a pulsating game against co-hosts Mexico, winning 3-2 at the famous Estadio Azteca, and there is lots of expectation among the supporters that they can finally be on top of the world again.
However, to do that they have to get the better of Norway, whose attack is spearheaded by the brilliant Erling Haaland, who scored both goals in their 2-1 last-16 victory against five-time winners Brazil.
This is the first time they have reached this stage of the competition, but with a top striker among their number, they will fear no one.
England vs. Norway betting picks and predictions
England to win & over 2.5 goals (+175)
There is little doubt that Haaland offers a massive threat to England’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals, but Thomas Tuchel’s team look the stronger.
Norway gained lots of kudos by beating Brazil in the last round, but Carlo Ancelotti was not in charge of a vintage outfit and the Selecao had not convinced in the run-up to their last-16 clash.
Haaland has scored seven goals in the tournament and the rest of the team has contributed just three, including one when a team consisting mainly of regular replacements was fielded in a 4-1 defeat to France, who were runners-up in Qatar four years ago and went on to finish top of Group I.
The Scandinavians may benefit from a lack of expectation and they can threaten an England defense that has not looked solid at times, particularly at right-back where Tuchel’s selection issues are not helped by Jarell Quansah being shown a red card in the 3-2 victory over Mexico.
However, England looks set to come out on top, particularly if they demonstrate the resolve they showed when playing with 10 men against the Mexicans.
They have an equally reliable striker in Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and a strong supporting cast who can help them into the semi-finals without the need for extra-time.
Jude Bellingham to score or assist (+140)
Kane is one of two world-class performers England has in its ranks, and the other is Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, who continues to flourish in a Three Lions shirt.
Bellingham has scored four goals in the tournament and tends to be at the heart of everything England creates, and he is expected to be right at the heart of the action again in this last-eight showdown.
He continues to rise to the occasion when it is required, scoring twice in the Mexico match and while confidence never seems to be a problem for the former Borussia Dortmund star, he knows how to perform on the biggest stage and he should not disappoint.
England to score a penalty in 90 minutes (+450)
Kane has found the net six times in this tournament as he looks to become the first player to win the Golden Boot more than once.
He was top goalscorer in Russia in 2018 and while he has scored 85 goals for the national team, a whopping 25 of those have come from the penalty spot.
Players such as Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon can trouble the Norway defense enough to earn a spot-kick and England has already had penalties against Croatia and Mexico in this tournament, so it is worth taking a decent price that, once again, they will score from the spot.
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England vs. Norway odds (90 minutes)
England | -118 |
Tie | +270 |
Norway | +310 |
England vs. Norway player props
Anytime goalscorer
Harry Kane (England) | -105 |
Erling Haaland (Norway) | +120 |
Ivan Toney (England) | +130 |
Ollie Watkins (England) | +130 |
Marcus Rashford (England) | +250 |
Jude Bellingham (England) | +275 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
