England vs China prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for Women's World Cup group stage

England are all but through to the knockout round already, but will be motivated to produce one more result as they take on China to close out Group D play at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

The Lionesses have not been their usual dominant selves, securing two nervy 1-0 victories over Haiti and Denmark. The wins are enough to put them at the summit of the standings thus far, and even just a point here would secure the top spot.

Yet they’ll want more than that, as closing down group play with a disappointing draw would send them into the knockout round with more questions than answers. An injury to midfielder Keira Walsh is devastating to their chances of winning the World Cup, and if her absence is notable here, it does not bode well for their ability to patch over her injury.

China are up against a significant challenge, needing to best Denmark’s result against Haiti to reach the knockout round. Every single Group D match thus far has finished 1-0, meaning the two sides are level on tiebreakers to this point.

MORE: England midfielder Keira Walsh ruled out of match vs China, but injury not as bad as feared

England vs China match facts

Date: Tuesday, August 1
Kickoff Time: 3 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. BST / 5 p.m. AEST
Location: Hindmarsh Stadium (Adelaide, Australia)
Official: Casey Reibelt (AUS)
Last meeting: China 2-1 England (23/10/2015 | International Friendly)

England vs China prediction, odds

Moneyline lean: England (-250)
Score prediction: England 2-0 China

England are the favourites for this match, but they are not considered overwhelming giants against No. 14 China.

Given this entire group has produced low-scoring games, there’s an expectation that this match will follow suit, and the under is a strong favourite. Both sides are missing key midfielders, with Keira Walsh injured and Rui Zhang suspended for a red card in the last match.

England
win
Draw
China
win
Both teams
to score Y / N
Over / Under
2.5 goals
ENG
-1.5
CHI
+1.5

BetMGM
(USA)
-250
+340
+675
+130 / -190
+100 / -135
+115
-165

Sports
Interaction
(Canada)
-256
+310
+620
+124 / -196
+103 / -141
+125
-167

SkyBet
(UK)
2/5
16/5
7/1
5/4, 4/7
1/1, 8/11
—
—

Unibet
(Australia)
1.40
4.50
8.00
2.35 / 1.57
2.02 / 1.76
—
—

Dafabet
(India)
1.40
4.20
6.70
2.33 / 1.54
1.97 / 1.73
2.17
1.61

England vs China: best bet

Pick: Half with most goals — 1H
Odds: +200 (BetMGM)

Both of England’s goals so far in the Women’s World Cup have come in the first half, and they’re likely to try and put China under pressure early in this match as well.

Given that England only need a draw, it makes sense for them to put forth their attacking pressure through the first 45 minutes. If they get an opener, they can sit back knowing they now have a cushion and only need a draw, happy to sit on the ball and take the air out of the game.

China will play it opposite, hoping to keep the game level by the break and then go for the win late, and England will know they just need to hang onto any result through the final 20 minutes to not only reach the knockout stage but win the group. With the Lionesses possessing so much attacking talent, they should find the goal they’re searching for early before closing up shop.

England vs China prop bet

Pick: Rachel Daly to score or assist a goal
Odds: -110 (FanDuel)

Rachel Daly, last year’s Golden Boot winner in the WSL, was not a starter in England’s opener against Haiti, but she entered the lineup against Denmark and provided the assist on Lauren James’ winning goal.

Daly plays as a forward for Aston Villa, allowing her to rack up chances in front of net, but for England, she’s hemmed into a full-back role, meaning her creative talents are utilized more than her goal scoring efforts. She created three chances against Denmark, winning seven of her nine ground duels and connecting on six of her eight long balls.

It would be outlandish for England not to play her in this game as well, and every match moving forward, and she’ll be involved up front even if the end result is low scoring. These odds are less than palatable, but they don’t deter us away from this selection.