England’s Lionesses kick off their World Cup adventure Down Under this summer with a group encounter with Haiti they’re expected to win.
In fact, many Women's World Cup predictions and betting tips for the entire tournament have England as leading contenders to lift the trophy this summer.
Beyond that straightforward opener, things get tougher for the reigning Euro champions and despite being second favourite in the football betting to go all the way in Australia and New Zealand doubts have crept in following some poor recent results.
Here’s five reasons, however, to firmly believe...
Wiegman Has A Plan
There simply won’t be a better prepared group at the World Cup with coach Sarina Wiegman admitting that she began planning for this tournament in the immediate aftermath of England’s Euro success twelve months ago.
Since then, there has been a series of set-backs, most notably international retirements and injuries to Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby and Beth Mead, but Wiegman is renowned for finding solutions to problems when they arise.
Indeed, that and her tactical versatility is what sets her apart from so many of her peers.
Furthermore, she has a tournament track record that greatly impresses, winning the Euros with Holland before taking them to a World Cup final. Then of course, there was last summer’s unforgettable high.
Game Changers
In Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Lauren James, England possess wingers who can not only bewitch and befuddle full-backs but crucially get around the back of stubborn back-lines, with a low block expected from two of their Group D opponents.
Always a threat with her trickery and pace, Hemp accumulated 13 goal involvements in the WSL last term for Manchester City, while Kelly likewise can alter the live betting odds in a flash.
A massive thank you from @lauren__hemp on behalf of all the players! 💙
— Man City Women (@ManCityWomen) May 27, 2023
🔵 3-2 🍬 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/Xc2q61SnC3
Yet it’s James who could be Wiegman’s most potent weapon, the Chelsea star completing more successful take-ons that any other player in 2022/23.
With her physique and razor-sharp decision-making in tight areas, the younger sister of Reece is unplayable on her day.
Defence
The Lionesses may be without their influential centre-back and leader Leah Williamson but with Millie Bright handed the armband this is a defence that is ingrained not to concede.
Since Wiegman arrived at the helm in September 2021, her side have been breached every 245 minutes. That’s just 12 goals in 32 games.
It’s an obvious but pertinent point that teams who are exceedingly hard to break down tend to go very far in tournament football.
Four years ago the USWNT conceded only three times on route to securing another world crown.
1 Defeat In 32
The Lionesses’ form under Wiegman is little short of remarkable, losing only once in 32 games as previously stated. In 2023 alone they have won the Arnold Clark Cup and beat Brazil on pens in the Finalissima.
Yet it’s that solitary defeat that is causing some consternation from the doubters, it occurring as recently as this April to tournament hosts Australia in a friendly.
Leah Williamson said the friendly defeat by Australia on Tuesday evening was her toughest night with the Lionesses.#BBCFootball
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 12, 2023
As also previously stated however, Wiegman is a problem-solver and she will have learnt infinitely more in that loss than from a routine victory.
She has since admitted the loss ‘excited’ her, revealing ways to better deal with counter attacks.
Champion Pedigree
For seemingly a lifetime, England came close in major tournaments, often exiting in the cruelest manner. It’s a horrible word to use but their endeavours always felt ‘plucky’.
That ended last summer, and though this is a much-changed squad to last year’s Euro winners the core is still present.
It is a core who knows what it takes to navigate an international competition and have the trust in themselves to do so. They know the way.
