Japan vs. England: Form Guide for 2015 World Cup Semi-Final Game

Japan have a perfect record at the 2015 Women's World Cup: They are the only remaining team to have won all five of their encounters thus far.

In fact, they have not lost a World Cup game since the group stages of the 2011 World Cup, in which they triumphed after a penalty-shootout victory over the USA in the final.

The last team to beat them at the World Cup were England, their opponents in Wednesday's semi-final in Edmonton.

On that occasion, in Group B in 2011's tournament in Germany, the Three Lionesses prevailed 2-0.

Team	Form
Japan	WWWWW
England	WWWWL

However, the Japanese, as defending champions and the fourth-ranked side in the world, are slight favourites to book themselves a place in the final of this year's tournament.

England have had four 2-1 victories in a row since they lost their opening group match 1-0 to France, the latest of which saw them book a last-four spot at the expense of hosts Canada.

Coach Mark Sampson was overly defensive in setting up his side against a talented French side, and England paid the price.

Since then, though, England have become more expansive, and although they have never been completely convincing, they have been effective. 

They are in uncharted territory this deep at a World Cup having never previously prevailed in a knockout match, let alone reached the semi-finals.

This could prove an important element in Wednesday's clash with Japan, as the Asian side do have the know-how from their 2011 triumph.

In their 1-0 quarter-final defeat of Australia, the Japanese showed their experience, playing a patient game and letting the Matildas tire themselves out in the hot conditions.

Their winner came late and was not pretty, per Women's Soccer United, but they got the result they deserved:

Against the Dutch in the last 16, Japan were excellent, per NBC Sports' Jeff Kassouf, and showed the crisp, passing style for which they have become known:

England's best bet of claiming a victory and an historic spot in the World Cup final will be to interrupt Japan's flow and frustrate them, forcing them into mistakes.

However, England themselves must avoid any errors, like Karen Bardsley's clanger that allowed Canada back into the quarter-final, per The Telegraph's Henry Winter:

Japan are the form team at the Canada tournament so far having won all of their matches, but England's four wins on the bounce will give them huge confidence ahead of the semi-final.

England are the less experienced side at this level, which gives Japan a slight edge as both bid for a final spot, but it is set to be a mighty tight encounter.