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England begin the defence of their Ladies’s European Championship crown with a tricky take a look at towards France in Zurich on Saturday.
If 2022 winners England are going to efficiently defend their European Championship crown this summer season they will need to do it the onerous means.
The Lionesses will likely be with out key members from three years in the past reminiscent of Mary Earps, Millie Vibrant and Fran Kirby in Switzerland and, to make issues worse, they’ve been drawn into the group of loss of life.
Netherlands and neighbours Wales won’t go down flippantly, however their greatest group-stage take a look at comes by way of Saturday’s opener towards France in Zurich.
Les Bleues are, like England, one of many match favourites and also will be keen to start out strongly. Nevertheless, the Lionesses have overcome the chances earlier than and the reigning champions might start with a roar at Letzigrund.
France Ladies v England Ladies Suggestions
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England to win @ 5/4
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Alessia Russo to attain anytime @ 11/5
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Sakina Karchaoui to have 1+ photographs @ 9/20
Pays out at 10/1
Lionesses more likely to make an ideal begin
England might have misplaced some key figures within the build-up to this match, however they nonetheless boast an especially robust squad – boosted by the return to health of Georgia Stanway and Lauren James – and a supervisor who has gained all of her 12 European Championship matches.
Sarina Wiegman led the Netherlands to glory previous to her 2022 triumph with the Lionesses and her cool method means any off-field noise won’t have been allowed to have an effect on the main target of her facet.
France look set to supply a stern take a look at following an eight-game profitable streak, however the WSL stays the strongest girls’s league on the planet.
13 gamers stay from the 2022-winning facet and thrilling children Angie Beever-Jones and Michelle Agyemang will present an X-Issue which can be required from the bench.
Les Bleues are additionally lacking key gamers as former captain Wendie Renard and all-time prime scorer Eugenie le Sommer had been omitted from the squad they usually might discover a conflict with the champions too tough a take a look at to beat.
Russo able to shine in Zurich
England’s all-time top-scorer Ellen White led the road three years in the past, but it was the striker who changed her in each recreation who actually stole the present.
Alessia Russo, in fact, was that participant. The then Manchester United ahead netted 4 instances in six substitute appearances to assist lead the Lionesses to a maiden Euros crown and she or he ought to shine once more now {that a} beginning spot is hers.
Russo has loved two consecutive 12-goal WSL seasons since becoming a member of Arsenal and netted seven essential objectives throughout her membership facet’s triumphant 2024-25 Champions League marketing campaign.
Her physicality makes her a nightmare for defenders. Renard, a 6’2” warrior, would have helped fight Russo, however her absence makes the Arsenal ahead the standout scorer choose in Zurich.
Leg 2: Alessia Russo to attain anytime @ 11/5
Karchaoui can proceed to thrive in new function
It gained’t be one-way site visitors in Zurich and France ought to discover some pleasure of their very own at Letzigrund. Marie-Antoinette Katoto is their most blatant risk, however there could also be extra worth in backing certainly one of their midfielders to affect proceedings as a substitute.
Sakina Karchaoui began the season as a left-back, however has slowly transitioned right into a midfielder. She took three photographs in six Champions League appearances as a full-back and has proven much more attacking intent since transferring additional up the pitch.
The PSG star registered 17 photographs in her last eight matches of the season and scored in France’s 5-0 rout of Belgium final month.
Again her to have an try towards England, whose midfield is something however defensive.
Leg 3: Sakina Karchaoui to have 1+ photographs @ 9/20