Norway vs England betting tips: Three Lions' class can carry them into final four
England continue their bid to reach a second World Cup semi-final in three tournaments on Saturday evening when they face a dangerous Norway side in the quarter-finals.
The Three Lions arrive on the back of a dramatic victory over Mexico, while Norway produced one of the shocks of the tournament by eliminating Brazil in the previous round.
Odds Now football tipster Matt Hill takes a closer look at the contest and picks out his best betting angles ahead of kick-off.
Competition – 2026 FIFA World Cup – Quarter-Final
Date – Saturday July 11th, 2026
Kick off – 10pm BST
TV channels – ITV1/ITVX (UK)
Match Winner – Norway 4.10, Draw 3.85, England 2.00
To Qualify – Norway 2.84, England 1.53
Over 2.5 goals – Yes 1.77, No 2.28
Both Teams To Score – Yes 1.67, No 2.46
*Odds taken from Betfair Exchange at 10AM on Saturday July 11th and are subject to change.
Norway head into this quarter-final as one of the stories of the tournament after following up their victory over Ivory Coast with a superb 2-1 success against Brazil.
That result confirmed that Stale Solbakken’s side are far more than an Erling Haaland-led collection of talented individuals.
Brazil allowed Norway large spells of possession in the last 16 and appeared to believe their superior attacking quality would eventually settle the contest on the counter-attack. Instead, Norway grew into the game, imposed themselves and fully punished a passive tactical approach.
There is plenty for England to respect.
Haaland remains the obvious danger through the middle, while Martin Odegaard provides the creativity required to find him. Alexander Sorloth gives Norway another physical presence in the final third and Antonio Nusa is capable of causing problems with his pace and direct running from wide areas.
Several of Norway’s less celebrated players have also performed well during the tournament, helping to give Solbakken a balanced and settled side.
Their ambition in possession could make this a more open contest than many of England’s previous matches. Norway are unlikely to sit in a deep defensive block for 90 minutes and should instead attempt to get the ball down, build attacks and test England’s back line.
There are, however, still question marks defensively.
Norway’s full-backs offer plenty going forward but can leave space behind them, which England’s depth and quality in wide areas should be capable of exploiting.
Preparation has not been entirely straightforward after a sickness bug swept through the squad earlier in the week.
Norway’s team doctor has since declared everyone fit and available, although it remains to be seen whether the illness has any impact on the players’ energy levels if the contest becomes stretched late on.
There are no confirmed absentees, while Nusa is the only Norwegian player one yellow card away from missing a possible semi-final.
Norway Predicted XI vs England (4-3-3): Nyland; Ostigaard, Heggen, Ajer, Ryerson; Berge, Berg, Odegaard; Schjelderup, Haaland, Sorloth.
England arrive in Miami with confidence restored after coming through an exhausting and emotionally charged last-16 contest against Mexico.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were pushed to their limit in a pulsating 3-2 victory in Mexico City, but the manner in which they survived that test could prove hugely important for the remainder of the tournament.
Mexico were backed by a ferocious home crowd, competed relentlessly and continued to apply pressure even when the game appeared to be slipping away.
England were forced through the wringer, but they found a way to win.
Rather than dismissing the performance because of Mexico’s eventual elimination, the victory should be viewed as a significant confidence and morale boost for a team that had previously spent much of the tournament attempting to break down low defensive blocks.
This quarter-final should offer a very different challenge, however.
Norway are likely to play with greater ambition and allow England more time to get their foot on the ball, build attacks and find space between the lines. That could suit England’s most influential attacking players far more than the deep, compact opponents they have regularly faced.
Tuchel has also received a triple fitness boost ahead of this contest. Reece James, Declan Rice and Marc Guehi all missed a training session earlier in the week because of minor injuries and illness, but the trio returned to the grass on Friday and are expected to be available.
James’ recovery is especially important because Jarell Quansah is suspended following his red card against Mexico, leaving right-back as a potential problem position.
Jordan Henderson is the only definite absentee after badly injuring his arm when he tripped over the advertising hoardings amid the celebrations following England’s dramatic victory.
Discipline is another concern for England here, with one tentative eye on the next round.
Rice, Jude Bellingham, Nico O’Reilly and Guehi are all one booking away from missing a prospective semi-final. Given their importance to the side, Tuchel will be desperate to progress without losing any of that quartet.
England Predicted XI vs Norway (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
Without wanting to tempt fate, this looks a more straightforward assignment for England than the last-16 tie against Mexico.
That is not to underestimate Norway, to be clear.
They are a good side. They have beaten Brazil and they possess several players capable of deciding a World Cup quarter-final. Haaland and Odegaard require no introduction, while Nusa and Sorloth add further quality and variety to their attacking play.
But I still believe England have a clear class advantage here.
The Mexico game was an extremely difficult fixture because of the atmosphere, the intensity, the altitude and the wider circumstances around it.
Mexico may have lacked a little bit of quality once the game began to get away from them, but their effort and desire could not be questioned. They kept coming, forced England to suffer and made Tuchel’s side earn every part of that victory.
That should leave England stronger rather than weaker. It was exactly the kind of result that can build belief inside a tournament camp, particularly for a side that has not always found knockout football comfortable.
This game should feel more familiar to England’s players, too.
Norway want to get the ball down and play. They will not simply camp inside their own penalty area, surrender possession and challenge England to solve a low block for 90 minutes.
There should be more of a Premier League feel to the contest, with both sides prepared to build attacks and commit players forward. That should help England.
The first half against Croatia remains one of their best performances of the tournament and this match could develop along similar lines. England should have more time in possession, more room to combine and more opportunities to isolate Norway’s defenders in wide areas.
Norway deserve enormous credit for beating Brazil, but Brazil’s approach played into their hands.
They conceded huge amounts of possession and seemed content to wait for individual quality to produce something on the break. It was an incredibly passive performance and Norway punished them for it.
I have been consistent throughout this tournament in believing Brazil were vulnerable, so that result did not completely change my view of Norway.
They are a strong side, but I do not yet see them as an elite one.
England’s wide options could be decisive. Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon are likely to start, but Tuchel has the luxury of introducing replacements from the bench who would start for most nations in the tournament.
That depth should become increasingly important if Norway’s illness-hit preparation begins to tell in the latter stages.
I also feel England’s leading players are performing well. Harry Kane, Rice and Bellingham have all produced strong tournaments and England remain heavily dependent on that core group.
The bookings carried by Rice and Bellingham are a concern with one eye on a potential semi-final, but in terms of this match alone, I expect them to have a major influence.
England look a little too big at close to even money and my main bet is simply for them to win inside 90 minutes.
Anything around 1.90 or bigger looks fair to me, and the 1.95 available with Priced Up is worth taking. England also appear to be slightly on the drift as I write, so there's no need to pull the trigger too early.
My second bet is Jude Bellingham to score at any time.
I said it before the Mexico game and nothing I have seen since has changed my mind: Bellingham becomes a different player when he pulls on an England shirt.
Even when he is not heavily involved for long periods, his timing when arriving in the penalty area is exceptional. He consistently finds space, attacks the right areas and has the personality to take responsibility in major moments.
For me, Bellingham is England’s second-most likely scorer behind Kane, but he is not being priced that way. He continues to sit behind several of the wide players in the anytime market and I do not agree with that assessment.
At 4.00, I am happy to back him again.
The final bet is a small-stakes play on England to progress in a match containing over 3.5 goals.
Norway are capable of scoring and Haaland may well have a say in the contest. England’s defence has not always looked entirely convincing and there should be opportunities at both ends if the game opens up.
At the same time, England have enough attacking quality and depth to exploit Norway’s weaknesses, particularly in the full-back areas.
The most likely outcome is an England victory, but this may not be a quiet or comfortable one. Strap yourselves in once again, Three Lions fans!
2pts – England to win in 90 minutes – 1.95 (Priced Up)
1.5pts – Jude Bellingham anytime goalscorer – 4.00 (AK Bets)
0.5pt – England to win and over 3.5 goals – 5.00 (Betfair)
Total staked – 4pts
All prices subject to change. 18+. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org.
Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.
Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.
He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.
When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.
Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.
Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.
He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.
When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.
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