ALEX CROOK PREVIEW: Norway v England

Miami has seen an English invasion as the Three Lions take on Norway for a World Cup semi final place on Saturday evening, writes ALEX CROOK.

As many as 30,000 England fans are expected to cheer on Thomas Tuchel’s men in their bid to halt Norway’s incredible American adventure.

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Led by the striking viking himself, Erling Haaland, Norway have not only progressed beyond a World Cup group stage for the first time ever but now find themselves in with a realistic shot at a spot in the final four.

Their tails will be up after ousting five time champions Brazil in the last 16 in New Jersey, sparking scenes of jubilation among the travelling contingent from Scandinavia.

From an English perspective, let’s hope that is the last time we see the famous ‘Viking row’, which has become of the iconic images of the tournament.

England’s path to the last eight has been far from smooth, but the 3-2 win over Mexico in the Azteca playing with ten men felt like a watershed moment for Tuchel and his players.

There are still questions marks over who plays at right-back with Jarell Quansah suspended for two games as a result of his red card in that game.

However, the rest of the 11 pretty much picks itself with Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka expected to keep their places out wide and Declan Rice hopeojg to shrug off a minor sickness bug to retain his sport alongside Elliot Anderson in modified.

This is the first time England and Norway have faced off in a major tournament environment, although the last time they met in a competitive game Norway won 2-0 in Oslo to help stop the Three Lions qualifying for USA ’94.

Norway were top scorers in the qualifying campaign and have already bagged 12 goals in their five games in the competition proper.

England meanwhile have been far from defensively sound since touching down stateside, conceding twice and Croatia and Mexico and even falling behind against minnows DR Congo in the round of 32.

I think this coud be another thrill ride, especially as Haaland is bidding to become the first European since Gerd Muller to score in his first five World Cup appearances.

Haaland is 6/5 with starsports.bet to score at any time and feels well worth backing.

England’s last three World Cup knockout round defeats have come against European opposition; France four years ago, Croatia in the semi finals in Russia in 2018 and Germany in South Africa in 2010.

With that in mind in some ways I’d feel more confident if England were playing Brazil.

But, I am backing Tuchel’s troops to build on the momentum of their exploits in Mexico City and set up a likely semi final with old nemesis Argentina in Atlanta next week.

England to win and over 3.5 goals is priced up at 4.33/1 with starsports.bet.

For my build-a-bet I am playing England to win in 90 minutes, over 3.5 goals in the game, both Haaland and Jude Bellingham to score and England to pick up more card points.

That returns a very decent 28/1 with starsports.bet.

The final remaining quarter final sees holders Argentina against a Swiss side who have reached this stage of the tournament for the first time since 1958.

Most judges expected Colombia to prevail when they came up against the stubborn Swiss in the round of 16.

But there is a reason Switzerland have now lost one of their last 19 games and I think they could prove a tough nut to crack for the reigning champions.

Argentina were far from their best against Cape Verde and had to come from 2-0 down to beat Egypt last time out.

If they make similar slip ups here they may find themselves in very dubious territory.

One positive thing for Argentina is I dont think Switzerland will set out to attack them, even though they have clear vulnerabilities in defence.

For that reason I think Lionel Messi and co will ultimately prevail so my bet here is Argentina to win in extra time at 15/2 with starsports.bet.

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RECOMMENDED SELECTIONS
1️⃣ BEST BET: England to win and over 3.5 goals 1pt at 4.33/1 with starsports.bet
2️⃣ NEXT BEST: Erling Haaland to score 1pt at 6/5 (⭐️ ?  CLICK TO BET NOW)
🚀 LONG SHOT: Argentina to win in extra time 0.5pts at 15/2 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
📊 BUILD-A-BET: England to win in 90 minutes, over 3.5 goals, both Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham to score and England to pick up more card points 0.5pts at 28/1 with starsports.bet

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