England Eyeing Semi-Final Return Ahead of Norway Clash – Here’s How You Can Profit

Norway and England are set to meet in Miami with a place in the World Cup semi-finals at stake, and the Three Lions are looking to return to this stage for the second time in three World Cup tournaments. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham led the team admirably in a chaotic victory over Mexico on Sunday, but Norway has one of the most potent one-punch weapons in football… Erling Haaland. Can England stop him? That will be vital in this 22:00 BST kick-off at Miami Stadium.

Will Haaland be Enough for Norway to Stun England?

England’s victory against Mexico at the famed Azteca Stadium will go down as one of the nation’s best performances at a World Cup.

Thomas Tuchel’s side were effective in possession and managed a game that threatened to go totally off the rails after Jarell Quansah’s red card.

Norway won’t have the same kind of environmental advantage that El Tri held over England, but they have a stronger team.

Eliminating Brazil in the Round of 16 was a huge feather in their cap, and it showed just how deadly Erling Haaland can be, even when he appears subdued.

In four World Cup appearances, the Manchester City forward has scored seven goals. He is in the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot, alongside England’s Harry Kane.

Defensively, England have struggled this tournament. Their rearguard action against the Mexicans was the exception rather than the rule. They will need to be this focused again in order to keep Haaland quiet.

Norway’s problem, though, is the lack of a supporting cast around Haaland. There is talent within the Norwegian squad, make no mistake, but there isn’t necessarily an individual other than Haaland who would frighten England.

When you compare this to Tuchel’s own team, you have serious threats throughout the pitch. Jude Bellingham has been a talismanic figure from midfield this summer, whilst Declan Rice is a warrior in midfield. Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon on the wings looked incredibly sharp against Mexico, too.

It’s difficult to envisage a scenario where Haaland doesn’t score on Saturday. The result of this match will largely depend on just how well he can be supported by his teammates. They were effective at soaking up pressure against Brazil, but you’d imagine giving the same chances to this England team would end in a far worse outcome for them.

Which Markets Should You Focus on?

At 1.83 with Betway, England are the favourites to win the tie before a penalty shootout. This carries an implied probability of 54.5%.

An interesting double for England to qualify and for Erling Haaland to score or assist at any time comes in at 3.10 with Betway, which are surprisingly good odds for an event with an implied probability of just 32%.

It’s difficult to frame this game without the notion of Haaland finding the net. He’s too strong, and England’s defence is too unreliable.

Interestingly, Norway are the fourth-highest scorers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 12 goals, and England are the seventh-highest scorers with 11 goals.

If you take that information and try to turn a profit, you’re looking at the Both Teams to Score market. Betway have placed odds of 1.67 for both teams to find the net, which has an implied probability of 60%.

That’s not a huge money-spinner, but you can turn it into a rather effective double. Both Teams to Score combined with England winning is on offer at 3.50 with Betway.

Jude Bellingham has been irrepressible for England this summer, silencing any doubters about his production on the international stage.

It’s hard for midfielders to generate the same excitement as forwards, but Bellingham has been England’s heartbeat at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His return of four goals and one assist has him in the running for Player of the Tournament. Therefore, it simply makes sense to think he’ll leave his mark on this quarter-final.

For a double consisting of England qualifying and Bellingham to provide either a goal or assist at any time, Betway are offering odds of 2.40, which is a pick I really like. This also covers you if the match goes to a penalty shootout, which wouldn’t be hugely surprising for England at a tournament.

Saying that, since the 2006 World Cup, only one England game has gone all the way to the dreaded lottery of a penalty shootout, and that was their victory over Colombia in Russia back in 2018.

To say England are due a shootout wouldn’t be far off the mark.

Best Predictions for the Match

As devastating as Erling Haaland can be, England are a much better team than Norway, and confidence is flowing after their victory over Mexico.

I don’t necessarily think the rest of Norway’s team are capable of hurting England in the same way as Haaland.

I see a lot of value in backing England and coupling that with Haaland finding the net. That’s where the money is.

England to qualify, combined with a Haaland goal/assist at any time, comes in @ 3.10 (Betway).

With that being said, I think Jude Bellingham will be hugely involved, making my alternative pick a double consisting of England qualifying and Bellingham to provide either a goal or an assist at any time @ 2.40 (Betway). It seems a little disingenuous to say this is an alternative pick, with both coming really high in my thinking.

If I had to steer you towards one, it would be the latter.

Key Statistics

• England and Norway have never played against each other before in an international tournament.
• Erling Haaland has scored in four of his last five international appearances.
• Haaland has faced England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford six times in the Premier League and has scored with seven of his nine shots on target against him.
• Out of the teams remaining in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Norway have registered the highest number of goalkeeper saves with 16.

Predicted Lineups and Missing Players

Norway (4-3-3): Orjan Nyland – Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjorn Heggem, David Wolfe – Patrick Berg, Sander Berge, Martin Odegaard – Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa, Erling Haaland.

Norway aren’t suffering from any injuries or suspensions heading into the quarter-final clash with England.

England (4-2-3-1): Jordan Pickford – Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly – Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice – Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon – Harry Kane.

England will be without Jarell Quansah, who is suspended following his red card against Mexico*. Jordan Henderson will also play no further part in England’s campaign after breaking his arm celebrating the victory over Mexico.

*This information is correct at the time of writing.

England Will Lean on Jude Bellingham and Overcome Haaland’s Goals

I’m going to stick with my belief that England have a far superior team to Norway and predict Tuchel’s charges to continue on into the semi-final.

Remember, this is a Norway side that was outplayed by the Ivory Coast for large parts of their Round of 32 clash.

I think both teams will score, Haaland will be a menace, but eventually Jude Bellingham will lead England to victory once more.

*Odds are subject to change.

For my other FIFA World Cup 2026 analysis and predictions, click here.

The Battle of the Ws

For the Battle of the Ws in this round, I will use my entire £10 on a treble bet in the Norway vs England fixture. I will go with England to qualify, Jude Bellingham to provide either a goal or an assist at any time, and Both Teams to Score @ 3.75 with Betway. I’ve fallen very far behind after a failed run involving Portugal vs Spain and Paraguay vs France and need to produce some rather big results to stay in contention. Follow my progress against Russell Wingham in the Battle of the Ws.