Thus far, England’s successes have come with asterisks. And that’s what enables me to sleep at night if I’m really honest.
The World Cup in 1966 took place in England so that doesn’t count. The U21s aren’t senior, so that doesn’t count. The Women’s Euros took place in England, so that doesn’t count.
Now they look like a formidable outfit in Australia. And while that’s technically still in the Commonwealth (you’d never guess I’ve my excuses lined up), it’s a hard one to try and gloss over from my end.
England v Colombia Saturday 11:30am
ITV
If they do win a World Cup and in the style I think they might, we could be in big trouble. I say this as an Irishman who has a lot of English friends who moved here for work.
Colombia represent an easier passage to their meeting in the semis if it comes to it, and only the long wait for global glory can undermine a hardened, proven group. So, is it ehh.. coming home?
England to Win
Let’s get real for a second. England are a few levels above Colombia, no matter how you want to dress it up.
Colombia are manic and don’t have a plan to win the ball back. They just blindly press. But if they score early, they’re a nightmare to try and break down.
Just the issue is that they won’t be breaking England down – they’re the best defensive team in the world. So this is going to be a very slow, painful victory for Wiegman’s methodical approach.
Rachel Daly to Have Two or More Shots on Target
England don’t have wingers that take players on and get into the box with the threat of scoring. Well, they did. Until she stamped down carelessly on a Nigerian glute.
What exactly was going on in her head is anyone’s guess, but they must move on now without her, and the only real difference maker outside of her is Rachel Daly, who scored a plethora of WSL goals from all angles.
If her confidence isn’t shook from the shootout nonsense, then she’ll be the reason they’re progressing.
Half-Time: Draw
Keep the ball. Tire Colombia out. Don’t concede set pieces. That’s going to be the pre-game chatter. The half-time chatter will consist of exploiting their exerted energy levels, slowly picking them off when they don’t adjust when the ball goes wide.
They do this in every big game they play in, making them one of the most dull, yet sadly efficient units to line-out.
But when England do get an overlap that’s required and lose the ball because Daly isn’t first to the in-swing, they’ll break.
And they’ll do it down their left side, meaning Bronze may have to make a few last-ditch grabs. But I’ve learned my lesson from this tournament and it’s that referees are slow to issue bookings.
Alter your approach or lose your stake I say.
Both Teams to Score? No
Colombia won’t be able to get the ball when England do eventually find the breakthrough and that’s what I fear most.
Just to get in ahead of the stress – Colombia will have ten minutes of added time to chuck the ball down on top of their centre halves, but Millie Bright won’t be beaten in the air by anyone, and gets my nod for Player of the Tournament behind only Diani.
Football Tips: England to book semi-final spot v Colombia in our 27/1 Bet Builder
A final four spot for the Lionesses? Our footie tipster Andrew Cunneen reckons so.
By Andrew Cunneen / Football Tips / 2 months ago
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England v Colombia – Bet Builder Preview
England to Win
Rachel Daly to Have Two or More Shots on Target
Half-Time: Draw
Lucy Bronze to Commit Two or More Fouls
Both Teams to Score? No
A Paddy Power Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 27/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Thus far, England’s successes have come with asterisks. And that’s what enables me to sleep at night if I’m really honest.
The World Cup in 1966 took place in England so that doesn’t count. The U21s aren’t senior, so that doesn’t count. The Women’s Euros took place in England, so that doesn’t count.
Now they look like a formidable outfit in Australia. And while that’s technically still in the Commonwealth (you’d never guess I’ve my excuses lined up), it’s a hard one to try and gloss over from my end.
England v Colombia
Saturday 11:30am
ITV
If they do win a World Cup and in the style I think they might, we could be in big trouble. I say this as an Irishman who has a lot of English friends who moved here for work.
Colombia represent an easier passage to their meeting in the semis if it comes to it, and only the long wait for global glory can undermine a hardened, proven group. So, is it ehh.. coming home?
England to Win
Let’s get real for a second. England are a few levels above Colombia, no matter how you want to dress it up.
Colombia are manic and don’t have a plan to win the ball back. They just blindly press. But if they score early, they’re a nightmare to try and break down.
Just the issue is that they won’t be breaking England down – they’re the best defensive team in the world. So this is going to be a very slow, painful victory for Wiegman’s methodical approach.
Rachel Daly to Have Two or More Shots on Target
England don’t have wingers that take players on and get into the box with the threat of scoring. Well, they did. Until she stamped down carelessly on a Nigerian glute.
What exactly was going on in her head is anyone’s guess, but they must move on now without her, and the only real difference maker outside of her is Rachel Daly, who scored a plethora of WSL goals from all angles.
If her confidence isn’t shook from the shootout nonsense, then she’ll be the reason they’re progressing.
Half-Time: Draw
Keep the ball. Tire Colombia out. Don’t concede set pieces. That’s going to be the pre-game chatter. The half-time chatter will consist of exploiting their exerted energy levels, slowly picking them off when they don’t adjust when the ball goes wide.
They do this in every big game they play in, making them one of the most dull, yet sadly efficient units to line-out.
Lucy Bronze to Commit Two or More Fouls
But when England do get an overlap that’s required and lose the ball because Daly isn’t first to the in-swing, they’ll break.
And they’ll do it down their left side, meaning Bronze may have to make a few last-ditch grabs. But I’ve learned my lesson from this tournament and it’s that referees are slow to issue bookings.
Alter your approach or lose your stake I say.
Both Teams to Score? No
Colombia won’t be able to get the ball when England do eventually find the breakthrough and that’s what I fear most.
Just to get in ahead of the stress – Colombia will have ten minutes of added time to chuck the ball down on top of their centre halves, but Millie Bright won’t be beaten in the air by anyone, and gets my nod for Player of the Tournament behind only Diani.
England v Colombia – Bet Builder Preview
England to Win
Rachel Daly to Have Two or More Shots on Target
Half-Time: Draw
Lucy Bronze to Commit Two or More Fouls
Both Teams to Score? No
A Paddy Power Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 27/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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