Women’s World Cup Tips: England face Australia as old foes meet in Sydney

England and Australia's sporting rivalry is one which spreads across multiple sports and can be traced back as far as the 1800s – this week there are more bragging rights up for grabs.

Cricket, rugby, the Commonwealth Games, the ‘Poms’ and the ‘Aussies’ have battled it out on sporting fields in cities around the world for years and years, and most recently played out a 2-2 draw in the 73rd edition of the men’s Ashes series.

On Wednesday, attention will turn to the English/Australian rivalry once again in Sydney as their respective teams fight for a spot in the Women’s World Cup final.

Australia v England

Kick off: 11am Wednesday

In some ways this one could be seen as the final before the final, not just because England were among the hot favourites to go all the way and Australia are the co-hosts, but also because of how far back the rivalry between the nations goes.

There’s also the added spark of how many of the players face – or feature alongside – each other on a weekly basis in the Women's Super League, with 11 Matildas currently contracted to teams in the English top-flight. 

Tony Gustavsson’s side have kept four clean sheets in five games on home soil, and with the English having kept three it’s likely to be a tight affair.

The Lionesses have flattered to deceive a little bit at the tournament despite making it this far, but they’ve come through adversity on more than one occasion and only conceded two goals at this point in time. At 2.34 they’re the favourites to win, and you can get them at 1.68 to qualify.

A major twist to the tale, though? In her 37 matches at the helm of the English team Sarina Wiegman’s only defeat came at the hands of Australia – four months ago – in a friendly encounter. A 2-0 defeat in Brentford back in April.

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Australia v England: England to qualify @ 1.68