England are looking to secure a perfect group stage record at the World Cup when they take on China on Wednesday. The Lionesses need just a point to progress to the knockout stage as Group D winners. Here is all you need to know about the day’s action.
Vietnam v Netherlands - Group E
Where: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
When: 8am (BST)/ 7pm (NZST)
TV: ITV4, ITVX
Referee: Ivana Martincic (Croatia)
Last meeting: N/A
Vietnam’s last result: 2-0 loss v Portugal
Netherlands’ last result: 1-1 draw v USA
The Netherlands will progress to the knockout stages if they avoid defeat against Vietnam. They turned in an impressive performance against USA last time out and were unfortunate to not come away with the win. They have more than enough talent at their disposal to get the job done against winless Vietnam.
Betfred odds: Vietnam 28/1, Netherlands 1/125, Draw 25/1
Sportsman stat: Vietnam will be hoping to avoid becoming the second Asian team at the World Cup to bow out of the tournament having lost all their group matches without scoring a single goal after Japan in 1991.
Where: Eden Park, Auckland
When: 8am (BST)/ 7pm (NZST)
TV: ITV1, STV, ITVX, STV Player
Referee: Rebecca Welch (England)
Last meeting: USA 1-0 Portugal (Friendly, 2021)
Portugal’s last result: 2-0 win v Vietnam
USA’s last result: 1-1 draw v Netherlands
USA only need to avoid defeat against Portugal to ensure they reach the knockout stages for the ninth consecutive tournament. Portugal will progress if they pull off one of the biggest upsets in history and defeat the reigning champions. They could also qualify if they draw with USA and Vietnam pull off an upset against the Netherlands.
Betfred odds: Portugal 10/1, USA 2/9, Draw 4/1
Sportsman stat: The reigning champions have won all eight of their World Cup matches against sides in their debut year, scoring 18 goals and conceding four in the process.
Where: Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
When: 12pm (BST)/ 9:30pm (ACST)
TV: ITV1, STV, ITVX, STV Player
Referee: Casey Reibelt (Australia)
Last meeting: N/A
China’s last result: 1-0 win v Haiti
England’s last result: 1-0 win v Denmark
England are hoping to make it three wins from three when they take on China in their final Group D match. They have only scored one goal in their previous two victories but there was a more positive performance against Denmark last time out. Keira Walsh has been lost to injury for this one and it will be interesting to see how Sarina Wiegman sets up her side.
Betfred odds: China 13/2, England 4/11, Draw 16/5
Sportsman stat: China have failed to score in their previous four World Cup matches against European opposition since beating the Netherlands in 2015.
Where: HBF Park, Perth
When: When: 12pm (BST)/ 7pm (ACST)
TV: ITV4, ITVX
Referee: Oh-Hyeon Jeong (South Korea)
Last meeting: N/A
Haiti’s last result: 1-0 loss v China
Denmark’s last result: 1-0 loss v England
Denmark are currently ahead of China on head-to-head with both sides having the same points, goal difference and goals scored. After their defeat to England Denmark have left themselves with some work to do but there is enough quality in their squad to get past Haiti. However, if they win and China beat England it will go down to fine margins to determine which two sides make it to the round of 16. This could add some spice to the two fixtures.
Betfred odds: Haiti 8/1, Denmark 1/4, Draw 4/1
Sportsman stat: Denmark have lost their final group stage match at each of the four previous World Cup tournaments they have featured in.
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