The Draw
Under 2.5 Goals
Lauren James to Score Anytime
All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Friday, 8pm: England v France Women
Euro Championship Qualifier at St. James’ Park
TV: ITV4
France versus England is a fixture in its own right. Two of the best teams in world football; and arguably outside of Spain, the two most talented squads to boot.
But it’s also a fine reflection of just how unfortunate Ireland were to draw both of them, and Sweden – current Olympics champions – in the same bloody group. Right, I’m done now.
It is worth noting that there’s very little to gain from winning this group, because finishing either first or second qualifies you for Euro 2025. Even finishing third and fourth gets you a seed in a playoff, but let’s try and not dissect the imbalance of women’s football across the federations right now.
England and France is a fine chance to see the best players in the world compete and that alone is worth celebrating, even if the stakes are incredibly low.
But as rightly pointed out, every game is an opportunity to invest, even if the players themselves will only be spirited by a half-arsed crowd who know that a defeat here for either team will still likely see them qualify. Here are your three best bets ahead of this clash at St. James’ Park:
The Draw
Oftentimes, you find that a result is kind of nailed on in earnest before a ball is kicked. And that’s not to say that this is a friendly by any means – there are far too many club-based rivalries between the nations on show here for it to be low-octane.
It’s just that Wiegman has come out and said multiple times now that she’s really happy to be putting unbeaten streaks together rather than going for the jugular.
England were quite lax when it came to their opening game against Sweden, and given Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze are probably just getting over their Champions League-winning hangovers, it’s hard to know how ruthless England will be, or even have the will to be.
Under 2.5 Goals
One of the biggest keys for England here is the return of Millie Bright who played the tail end of the WSL season and will reinforce a backline that’s becoming a point of emphasis for the Lionesses now.
And without Becho who’s missing out through suspension and Le Sommer (who despite her advancing years is still lethal in tight-knot situations) sidelined, the reliance on Katoto and Diani to do it themselves from wide positions should concern anyone.
For England? Yeah, the centre forward merry-go-round will continue of course, but Lauren James remains one of the only players in world football who can take over a game at will. That’s not really enough to scream goals at you though, is it?
Lauren James to Score Anytime
And no, it might not be enough in that silo, but it is worth having a punt that the best forward that England had in their ranks will continue to produce when required.
You expect Wiegman to line her up opposite of Maelle Lakrar, and that’s a mismatch you might just need to take advantage of, particularly as neither French winger appreciates doubling opposition players.
The Draw
Under 2.5 Goals
Lauren James to Score Anytime
All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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