Solheim Cup 2015: Updated Standings and Predictions Ahead of Day 3

Europe lead the USA 8-5 heading into Day 3 of the 2015 Solheim Cup, but there's plenty still to play for as three of Saturday's fourballs still need to be completed before the players contest the all-important singles.

The Europeans began the second day 4-2 up and extended that lead through the morning's foursomes.

Melissa Reid and Carlota Ciganda were ruthless in their 4-and-3 victory over Michelle Wie and Allison Lee, while Charley Hull and Suzann Pettersen launched a stunning fightback as they birdied five of the last seven holes to overcome a four-hole deficit against Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel.

Sandra Gal and Catriona Matthew were more measured in their narrow but deserved victory.

Gerina Piller and Stacy Lewis were the one highlight in a disappointing morning for the Americans, as they thrashed Anna Nordqvist and Caroline Hedwall. Here are the results from the foursomes, per the 2015 Solheim Cup:

The USA were more successful in the afternoon session, winning the only completed match, thanks to Lexi Thompson and Cristie Kerr's efforts.

The other three matches will be played on Sunday morning, though the U.S. are in a strong position in two of the remaining fourballs, as the tournament's official Twitter feed shows:

Completing Friday's fourballs the following morning allowed the Americans to come back into the match they were losing and half the point, so the Europeans will be hopeful of performing a similar turnaround with their opponents' momentum interrupted.

After their exploits on Saturday morning, Hull and Pettersen will undoubtedly be looking to do so, and if they can replicate their spectacular form, another point for Europe beckons.

As for the singles, as GolfChannel.com's Randall Mell noted, the lineups won't be confirmed until after the fourballs are completed:

Mell still has his preference for the matchups, though:

Regardless of the standings, Europe captain Carin Koch could be tempted to start with her form players such as Nordqvist, Ciganda, Pettersen and Reid, who won one-and-a-half points for her team on Saturday.

If the fourballs go against Europe, then some early points on the board could serve to try and re-establish their lead, and should they still be comfortably ahead, then a strong start could kill any lingering hopes from the Americans.

The day will likely be a fascinating encounter, particularly if the USA do spark hopes of a comeback with a strong morning, and there could be fireworks if Europe's elite players face off against their American counterparts in the singles.

Europe have great experience on the final day, having won the previous two Solheim Cups, and have also looked the stronger of the two sides so far. If they can replicate their performances from Friday and Saturday morning, they have an excellent chance of enjoying their third consecutive victory over the USA.

Prediction: Europe win 16-12