July 11th at the "Hard Rock" stadium in Miami will host the quarterfinal match of the FIFA World Cup between the Norway and England national teams. Both teams are showing bright football at the tournament, and this match is expected to be one of the most exciting in the playoffs.
The focus will be on the duel between the two top scorers of the tournament: Erling Haaland (7 goals) against Harry Kane (6 goals). The winner of this clash will not only continue the fight for the championship but also gain a significant advantage in the race for the "Golden Boot."
Final Prediction
Containing Haaland will be difficult for the English — the Norwegian is in outstanding form and capable of deciding the episode alone. However, England's defense, led by Pickford and Guehi, looks completely reliable and ready for this challenge. At the same time, England's attack with Kane, Bellingham, and Gordon is capable of exploiting weaknesses in Norway's defense.
The most probable scenario — England's victory after a tense battle, but with a high probability of goals from both sides.
Win England
Path to the quarterfinals
Norway
The Norwegians created one of the main surprises of the tournament, defeating the five-time World Cup champions — Brazil — 2:1 in the round of 16. This victory was the culmination of a confident performance by the team under Ståle Solbakken in the group stage.
Norway's statistics at the tournament:
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Wins | 4 out of 5 matches |
| Goals scored (average) | 2.4 per match |
| Goals conceded (average) | 1.8 per match |
| Top scorer | Erling Haaland (7 goals) |
England
England's path was no less dramatic. In the round of 16, they defeated Mexico (3:2), with the majority of the match played in a numerical disadvantage after the red card on Jarrad Quinn. Thomas Tuchel's team showed character and determination to win.
England's statistics at the tournament:
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Wins | 4 out of 5 matches, 1 draw |
| Goals scored (average) | 2.2 per match |
| Goals conceded (average) | 1.0 per match |
| Top scorer | Harry Kane (6 goals) |
Who is the favorite?
The English are considered clear favorites. Honorary president of the Russian Football Union Vyacheslav Kолосков noted that the English have a more balanced squad, all players are experienced, whereas Norway has a noticeable difference in class between the lines: the attack is much stronger than the defense.
According to the supercomputer Opta, England's chances of winning the tournament are 17.06% (3rd place), whereas Norway's are 6.50%.
The MARCA model, based on the Elo rating, gives England a 64.5% chance of advancing to the semifinals against 35.5% for Norway.
Bookmakers also favor the English, but they also highly rate the probability that both teams will score (BTTS — Both Teams to Score).
Factors that may decide the match outcome
Attack duel
The main intrigue — will England's defenders be able to contain Haaland. The Norwegian is in outstanding form and capable of deciding the episode alone. However, England also has Kane, who is always dangerous in the penalty area. It is expected that both teams will play attacking football.
England's defense against Norway's attack
England concedes an average of just 1 goal per match — this is the best record among all quarterfinalists. Norway, on the other hand, concedes 1.8 goals per game. This could become a key factor.
Experience in big matches
England has huge experience in playing in knockout stages of major tournaments. For many Norwegian players, this quarterfinal is their first in their career. The English have not lost in regular time at the tournament (4 wins, 1 draw).
Expected lineups
Norway: Nuñez — Rüdiger, Ajer, Heggem, Eikrem — Berg, Berg — Sørloth, Edgerton, Nussa — Haaland.
England: Pickford — Spence, Guehi, Conson, O'Riley — Anderson, Rice — Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon — Kane.
Both teams approach the match without injuries or suspensions, which will allow the coaches to field their strongest lineups.
Disclaimer
All predictions presented in this material are purely informational and analytical in nature. They reflect the subjective opinion of our editorial team, based on available statistical data (including materials from Opta) and the current form of the teams. Football remains an unpredictable sport, and any match may bring a surprise. We do not guarantee that the predictions will match the actual results and urge you to approach any betting decisions responsibly, keeping in mind the possible risks. The final choice always remains with you.