England will begin their World Cup quarter-final against Norway as favourites, but Stale Solbakken believes the gap between the two sides is far smaller than many might assume.

The countries meet in Miami on Saturday night, with a place in the semi-finals at stake. The winner will face either Argentina or Switzerland in Atlanta next Wednesday, moving within one victory of the World Cup final on 19 July.

Norway arrive with confidence soaring after eliminating five-time world champions Brazil, while England survived an extraordinary last-16 contest against co-hosts Mexico.

For Solbakken, the pressure and expectation surrounding Thomas Tuchel’s side make them favourites, but not overwhelmingly so.

“They are favourites, but they’re not big, big favourites,” said the Norway manager.

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This is unfamiliar territory for Norway.

They had not qualified for a World Cup since 1998, yet they have now advanced further than at any previous tournament. Victories over Iraq, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Brazil have transformed their campaign into one of the stories of the competition.

England, in contrast, arrived expecting to challenge for the trophy.

That difference in expectation could become important if Saturday’s match remains tight during the closing stages.

“I think England have more pressure than us,” said Solbakken. “But we also put pressure on our performance. Once the game starts, I don’t think the players think about the pressure.”

While Norway have already exceeded expectations, their coach is determined not to portray the quarter-final as a free hit. His players believe they can win, particularly after controlling long spells of their victory over Brazil.

However, Solbakken also recognises that England possess greater depth and more options capable of changing the contest from the bench.

Much of the build-up has inevitably focused on Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.

Haaland has scored seven goals during Norway’s historic run, while Kane has struck six times in five appearances for England. Both are their country’s captain, leading scorer and most obvious match-winner.

The temptation is to present the quarter-final as a direct battle between two of world football’s most prolific forwards.

Solbakken, however, was quick to reject that narrative.

“It’s Norway against England,” he said. “It’s not a secret that Kane is match-winner number one for England and Erling is match-winner number one for us.”

He added: “There’s no doubt that he is our biggest match-winner, but I think you underestimate some of the other players if you think that’s the whole theme. He also needs service, but you can’t deny that he is a big, big match-winner for us.”

That service could come from Martin Odegaard, who has brought control and creativity to the Norway midfield throughout the tournament.

The Arsenal captain is surrounded by players familiar with the demands of Premier League football, giving Norway a squad that will not be intimidated by England’s reputation.

Stopping Haaland will remain central to Tuchel’s plan, but preventing the passes into him may be even more important than dealing with the striker once he receives the ball.

England’s route to the last eight has not always been comfortable, but their victory over Mexico impressed Solbakken.

Tuchel’s side progressed with a dramatic 3-2 win at the Azteca Stadium, despite Jarell Quansah being sent off in the 54th minute.

Facing the co-hosts in one of football’s most hostile stadiums would have been difficult under normal circumstances. Doing so with ten players for much of the second half made the result one of England’s most significant victories of the tournament.

“I think the most impressive England game came when they were better than Mexico,” said Solbakken. “Mexico created very few chances and I think Thomas Tuchel managed to get their best players in good positions.”

The Norway manager highlighted the threat posed by Jude Bellingham and Kane, as well as the depth available in wide areas.

“Being match-winners like Bellingham and Kane, they have several options on the wings, which means that if one doesn’t have the day, another comes in and does something good,” he said.

He also praised the balance provided by Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice in central midfield.

That combination has helped England control matches while giving their attacking players the freedom to occupy more dangerous positions.

One of the most surprising statistics from Norway’s victory over Brazil was their 66.4 per cent possession.

Rather than sitting deep and waiting to counterattack, Solbakken’s team were prepared to keep the ball, move Brazil around and control the tempo.

The manager does not expect his side to dominate possession to the same extent against England.

“No, I don’t,” he said when asked whether Norway could see a similar amount of the ball.

The heat in Miami may influence how both teams approach the match. Norway have deliberately reduced the intensity of their training sessions to ensure the players arrive fresh.

“It’s getting hotter,” said Solbakken. “We have trained very lightly. We’ve not done as much hard work. We have had technical sessions but at a lower tempo. It’s all about being fresh.”

That could produce a slower, more cautious opening as both sides conserve energy and attempt to avoid an early mistake.

England may enjoy more possession, but they will need to remain alert to Norway’s ability to break quickly through Odegaard and find Haaland before the defence is organised.

Thousands of Norwegian supporters have travelled to Miami for what could become the biggest match in the country’s football history.

Their run has already brought a nation together, reviving memories of the 1998 World Cup and introducing a new generation to the excitement of a major international tournament.

Solbakken was part of the squad the last time Norway appeared at the World Cup. Now, 28 years later, he has led them to within three matches of lifting the trophy.

“It has brought the country together,” he said. “The whole of Norway is looking forward to tomorrow.”

The Norway manager also used his pre-match appearance to send a personal message to former England captain and Liverpool icon Kevin Keegan, who revealed in June that he has stage four cancer.

“My biggest regret in World Cup history is that Kevin Keegan did not score when he came on against Spain in 1982,” said Solbakken.

“He was my big hero. I hope Kevin is well.”

For 90 minutes on Saturday, however, the admiration will be placed to one side.

England have the stronger squad, the greater tournament expectations and the experience of reaching the latter stages of major competitions.

Norway have momentum, belief and the World Cup’s leading scorer.

They may not be favourites, but after knocking out Brazil, nobody will be treating Solbakken’s side as outsiders incapable of causing another major shock.