Women's World Cup Semi-Finals 2015: Bracket Predictions for Wednesday Fixtures

England take on defending champions Japan in the Women's World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.

The Three Lionesses recorded a historic victory over hosts Canada in the quarter-finals to reach their first World Cup semi-final. Early goals from Jodie Taylor and Lucy Bronze put England in the lead, and despite gifting a goal to Christine Sinclair, Mark Sampson's side held on to win 2-1.

Japan left it late against Australia, but the semi-final place was fully deserved, as Mana Iwabuchi scored the decisive strike in a 1-0 victory.

The pair meet at 7 p.m. ET (12 a.m. BST) in what's set to be an intriguing contest, so read on for an in-depth preview of the game along with a prediction for the winner.

Japan vs. England Preview

Despite being ranked sixth in the world, few would have predicted that England would be contesting the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Prior to the tournament, the team had never won a knockout match at a World Cup and suffered an early exit at the 2013 European Championships at the hands of France, who beat the Three Lionesses in their opening game in Canada.

However, through sheer resilience and some well-taken goals (including Taylor's neat finish below), England are fully deserving of their place in the final four.

Captain Steph Houghton reflected on England's achievement and is looking forward to taking on Japan. Per BBC Sport, she said:

"

It's the biggest game in English women's football and I can't wait.

In terms of English football, we have always been known to get to quarter-finals and get knocked out so we have taken that off people's backs, we've shown we can get to a semi-final and we can play under pressure. ...

We now have two massive games to come and hopefully that ends with a winner's medal but we know we need to be at our best against Japan.

"

The World Cup holders have enjoyed an excellent tournament so far and will provide England's toughest challenge yet.

As World Soccer Talk's Andrew Jerell Jones notes, Japan have won every game at the World Cup:

"

Japan still the only team in this @FIFAWWC with a 100% record. Never explosive, but always clinical enough. #FIFAWWC

— Andrew Jerell Jones (@sluggahjells) June 27, 2015"

Even more impressively, they have done so while conceding just two goals.

The technically accomplished side are well-organised at the back and have proved clinical up front, with seven different goalscorers netting each of their goals.

England beat Japan in the group stage at the 2011 World Cup, but the latter went on to win the tournament, gaining invaluable experience of the latter stages of an international tournament—something the Three Lionesses lack.

Per Tony Leighton of the London Evening Standard, Sampson is optimistic that goalkeeper Karen Bardsley will be fit to feature against Japan after being forced off with an eye injury in the quarter-final. 

However, the 30-year-old has proved something of a liability and was responsible for the goals conceded to Mexico and Canada.

England will fight tooth and nail to reach their first World Cup final, but their occasionally shaky defence could well be their downfall in the semi-final.

The Three Lionesses have not kept a single clean sheet at the tournament, and Japan's experience, technical quality and ruthless finishing make them well-suited to capitalise on England's weakness.

Prediction: Japan 2-1 England