Norway vs England Predictions
A potentially thrilling contest between two in-form European nations seems likely in Miami.
While England are favourites, they cannot be expected to keep Erling Haaland and Co at bay.
BTTS and over 2.5 goals is my preferred pick at Hard Rock Stadium.
Goals Expected in Miami
- Norway have seen BTTS & over 2.5 goals in 9 of their last 11 matches
- Norway scored an average of 2.4 goals per game in their last 5 matches
- England have seen BTTS & over 2.5 goals in 3 of their last 5 matches
- England scored an average of 2.2 goals per game in their last 5 matches
England Hold H2H Edge
Norway and England have met on 12 previous occasions. England won seven of those games, while Norway secured two victories.
Norway claimed a 2-0 win when these nations last met in a competitive fixture, a 1994 World Cup qualifier played in Oslo in 1993.
Norway Stun Brazil
Norway make the trip to Miami after securing a sensational 2-1 win against Brazil in the round of sixteen.
Erling Haaland again proved the difference maker with the Man City hitman bagging twice in the closing stages to seal a famous win.
Stale Solbakken’s side again relied on their ruthless forward to secure perhaps the biggest win in the nation’s history. Norway finished the contest with an xG of just 1.05, compared to Brazil’s 2.63.
Haaland has enjoyed a remarkable tournament, scoring seven goals in just four appearances. Incredibly, the 25-year-old has scored in each of his last 14 international matches, with a remarkable 27 goals scored in that period.
Norway have been a reliable choice for goal chasers at this competition. The Vikings have scored 12 goals but conceded nine in five World Cup fixtures this summer.
Solbakken’s side have been in superb form in the past two years, with Norway winning 14 and losing just one of their last 15 competitive fixtures. That sole defeat came in a 4-1 group-stage loss against France, when the Norwegians made 10 changes to their starting XI.
England Edge Mexico Thriller
England arrive in Miami in high spirits after a thrilling 3-2 win against Mexico at the Azteca last weekend. Jude Bellingham was the star turn for the Three Lions, with the Real Madrid man scoring twice in an all-action display.
A remarkable contest that will go down in World Cup folklore saw both sides awarded penalties, while England’s Jarell Quansah was sent off for a dangerous lunge just ten minutes into the second period.
In a largely backs-to-the-wall display, England held on for a sensational win in Mexico, with Harry Kane’s second-half penalty proving decisive.
Thomas Tuchel’s side had secured their place in the round of sixteen with a hard-fought 2-1 comeback win against DR Congo. Harry Kane scored a brilliant double and, with his penalty against Mexico, now has six goals in the competition.
Defensive issues remain a concern, with the Three Lions vulnerable in the right-back area. England have conceded twice in games against Croatia and Mexico at these finals.
Norway vs England Team News
Norway: (4-3-3) Orjan Haaskjold Nyland; Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer, Torbjorn Lysaker Heggem, David Moeller Wolfe; Martin Odegaard, Sander Berge, Patrick Berg; Alexander Sorloth, Erling Haaland, Antonio Nusa
Norway boss Solbakken has no injury issues this weekend. Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup are pushing for starts after both made assists when appearing as second-half substitutes against Brazil.
Alexander Sorloth and Antonio Nusa could drop out.
England: (4-2-3-1) Jordan Pickford; Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn, Nico O’Reilly; Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon; Harry Kane
England are unable to call on Quansah after his red card against Mexico, with the defender ruled out of the quarter-final and a potential semi-final.
Tuchel also has concerns at right-back, with Reece James unlikely to start. Djed Spece is expected to deputise for the suspended Quansah. England have used five different players in the right-back spot this summer.
The German boss bemoaned the loss of Quansah and hit out at the standard of refereeing at the World Cup.
"It's just not good enough," Tuchel told BBC Sport. "The referees are just not good enough; fourth officials are just not good enough. That's the bottom line.
"Is this a clear and obvious error for the penalty? For sure not. They overturned a situation where he doesn't even give a foul."
Harry Kane will make his 120th international appearance, with the Bayern forward looking to add to his 85 goals for the Three Lions.