England W vs France W Prediction & Betting Tips - Women's Euro

Prediction published on 31/05/2024, 06:32  by Devesh Jaganath in Women's Euro Predictions

The blockbuster matchup in Group A3 of UEFA Women's Euro Qualifying will see England playing host to France on Friday evening. The hosts are second in the group, while the visitors currently lead the standings. England enter this match ranked second in the world according to FIFA World Rankings, and France are only just behind in third. Despite their World Cup disappointment, England bounced back strongly, claiming the top spot in their Nations League group before smashing in 12 goals in two friendlies back in February against Austria and Italy. In this competition, the Lionesses were held to a 1-1 draw by Sweden on matchday one but were far too good for the Republic of Ireland four days later. They are now on four points, two behind Les Bleus and three clear of the Swedes in third. At home, England are unbeaten in their last seven matches (excluding World Cup games) and have scored 16 goals in their last four alone. England lost the last encounter between these sides back in April 2021, though that was in France. The Lionesses have won their last two against Les Bleus at home and are the favourites at the books in this one. 

Meanwhile, after exiting the World Cup in the quarter-finals, France reminded fans why they are considered one of the best in the world when they dominated Group A2 in the Nations League. They breezed through their group unbeaten and outplayed Germany in the semi-final before falling to the world Champions Spain in the final. That loss remains the only one that Les Bleus have conceded in their last 14 international (excluding World Cup matches), dating back to October 2022. In this competition, France have got off to a perfect start, securing back-to-back 1-0 wins against the Republic of Ireland and Sweden in their first two matches, and another win here will give them a commanding lead atop the table. In fact, if Les Bleus win this match and Sweden draw against Ireland, France will be guaranteed a top-two finish. The visitors' major strength lies in their solid defensive unit and they will need to be at their absolute best here against the attacking Lionesses.