Women's World Cup Quarter-Finals 2015: Updated Bracket, Odds and Predictions
The final eight teams of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup have now been decided, and there's plenty of mouthwatering action yet to come as the tournament reaches the quarter-final stage.
Japan were the final team to confirm their place after defeating the Netherlands 2-1 in the round of 16 on Tuesday.
Here are the quarter-final fixtures, split into the two brackets that will determine each team's route to the final, followed by the latest odds for each nation.
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| Friday, June 26 | Time (ET/BST) | TV | Location |
| Germany vs. France | 4 p.m./9 p.m. | Fox, BBC Three | Montreal |
| China vs. United States | 7:30 p.m./12:30 a.m. | Fox, BBC Red Button | Ottawa |
| Saturday, June 27 | Time (ET/BST) | TV | Location |
| Australia vs. Japan | 4 p.m./9 p.m. | Fox Sports 1, BBC Three | Edmonton |
| Canada vs. England | 7:30 p.m./12:30 a.m. | Fox Sports 1, BBC One | Vancouver |
| Germany | 47-25 |
| USA | 9-4 |
| France | 6-1 |
| Japan | 6-1 |
| Canada | 10-1 |
| Australia | 16-1 |
| England | 20-1 |
| China | 66-1 |
Germany vs. France
The highlight of the round is Germany taking on France, ranked first and third in the world, respectively.
Both sides have impressed at the tournament so far, and save for blips in their second group games, both have won every game in some comfort.
Germany's Anja Mittag and Celia Sasic lead the race for the Golden Boot with five goals apiece, but France also boast impressive firepower in Eugenie Le Sommer and Marie-Laure Delie, who have each netted three times.
Quality pervades both sides, however, as the pair have conceded just four goals between them, so the strikers will be facing their toughest challenge yet as they seek to make the decisive impact here.
The form of Delie and Elodie Thomis has eased France's overreliance on Louisa Necib as a playmaker, as World Soccer Talk's Andrew Jerell Jones notes:
"Again, Thomis and Delie both being in the side so key for this #Fra team. They and Abilly more the playmakers than Necib. #FIFAWWC
— Andrew Jerell Jones (@sluggahjells) June 21, 2015"
However, Germany are the tournament favourites—and rightly so.
As ESPN.com's Paul Carr notes, Germany's incredible performance in the group stage sent a strong message to the other contenders at this year's tournament:
Die Nationalelf then went on to dispatch Sweden with ease in the round of 16, showing they can maintain their high level of performance against the big teams.
France have put in a strong showing so far, but it's hard to look past Germany making it all the way to the final. Expect a thrilling, end-to-end encounter, with Les Bleues the unfortunate losers.
Prediction: Germany 3-2 France
China vs. United States
Of the teams remaining at the World Cup, the United States could hardly have wished for a better draw.
As well as avoiding the two heavyweights above until the semi-final, China will pose the least challenging opposition.
ESPN's Taylor Twellman notes the importance of the draw for the USA:
Though China, who recorded wins over the Netherlands and Cameroon on their way to the quarter-finals, have proved that they deserve their place in the final eight, the U.S. should have little problem in overcoming their opponents.
USA beat China in the 1999 World Cup final, and as Carr notes, they have enjoyed a one-sided record against them in the years since.
Megan Rapinoe's absence could cause the U.S. to struggle for fluency in the early stages, but it would be one of the shocks of the tournament if the result were anything other than a win for the Yanks.
Prediction: China 0-2 USA
Australia vs. Japan
On the back of an impressive win over Brazil, Australia will take on reigning champions Japan in a fascinating tie.
The Matildas' historic win should promote caution among the Japanese, lest they find themselves the victims of another Australian upset.
Japan have been defensively solid throughout the tournament, and they can adapt their formation with impressive fluidity as they push forward or seek to regain possession.
Neither team have featured in any particularly high-scoring affairs, and it seems likely that the contest will be a narrow one.
A win for Australia would be a huge ask given Japan's quality and ability to operate as a cohesive unit, but the Matildas' pace and power on the counter-attack could make the difference here.
Prediction: Australia 1-0 Japan
Canada vs. England
The hosts take on the Three Lionesses in the last exciting quarter-final.
Canada overcame Switzerland in the round of 16 thanks to Josee Belanger's strike, while England overcame Norway 2-1 to win their first-ever knockout match at a World Cup.
Canada will enjoy the partisan crowd in Vancouver, but as coach John Herdman notes, speaking to FIFA.com, being hosts also brings added pressure: "As hosts we're obviously under a lot of pressure. I'm proud of my team and what we've achieved; they're warriors who know what needs to be done and give it everything they've got. The fans were unbelievable again; it was just surreal."
England will be buoyed by their historic comeback win, however, and they will prove Canada's biggest challenge yet.
England have enjoyed goals throughout their team, including from defenders Lucy Bronze and Steph Houghton in the win against Norway, so they will likely be a constant threat to Canada the entire game.
For both teams, a win would be a huge step. Having already taken one in the round of 16, England can take another in a close encounter. The Three Lionesses have an excellent chance of roaring triumphantly again come the final whistle.
Prediction: Canada 1-2 England
