Visit Betway's football betting page.

Old sporting rivals Australia and England clash in Sydney with a place in the final of the 2023 Women's World Cup on the line.

The co-host Aussies and reigning European champions England have struggled to light up the tournament so far but have shown steel and nerve when it mattered most to book their places in the last four.

The Matildas will have the crowd on their side, while England will hope to use the experience of striking gold at last summer's Euros.

Spain await the winners after seeing off Sweden 2-1 in the first semi-final.

Match to be a draw 

The rankings going into the World Cup seemed to give England a slight edge, with the Lionesses ranked No. 4 in the world, six places higher than the Australians.

But the one head-to-head showdown between the countries very clearly shouted Australia, who were 2-0 winners over Sarina Wiegman's team in a warm-up game in April.

And as the finals have evolved it has become clear that there is precious little between these two old sporting rivals, so little in fact that the clever money is probably best invested in the draw.

Both camps have match-winners – Sam Kerr will surely start for Australia after working her way back to fitness, while Lauren Hemp and Alessio Russo are showing their scoring teeth when it matters.

But both teams look well organised, limited going forward, and in the tension of the occasion it would be no surprise if this turns into a cagey, cautious encounter where not losing becomes every bit as important as risk-taking in pursuit of victory.

Neither country has been to a World Cup final and with superpowers United States and Germany having flown home they will never get a better chance.

England have been gift-wrapped a decent route to the last four, although they have made desperately hard work of squeezing past Nigeria and Colombia.

The Aussies have patiently fended off Denmark and France, needing a dramatic shoot-out to see off the French.

Australia will have the crowd on their side but that can work one of two ways. England have to be hoping that the weight of home love gets to the hosts.

Either way, there looks to be nothing between these countries and that may well be evidenced after 90 minutes.

Under 0.5 first-half goals 

Spain and Sweden took forever to warm to their task in the first semi-final in Auckland and a similar slow-burner is envisaged in Sydney. Indeed, it may not set fire at all.

Australia have scored only two goals and conceded none in their two knockout games as they profit from a relatively risk-free approach.

England, whose own planning was turned on its head by Lauren James's red card in their round-of-16 showdown with Nigeria, have also scored just two goals in the knockout stage, leaking once.

James is still missing and that's a major negative for Lionesses, who are short of invention as it is.

Rather like the first few rounds of a boxing match, the first half will see some shadow shots thrown, not much more, and looks set to be missing any goals.