Preview: France Women vs. England Women – prediction, team news, lineups – Sports Mole
England Women will travel to Stade Geoffroy-Guichard for Tuesday’s Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying clash with France Women.
The Lionesses will have revenge on their mind after suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat in Friday’s reverse fixture at St James’ Park.
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France are on the brink of sealing their spot at next year’s European Championships after taking maximum points from each of their three qualifiers.
Les Bleues began their qualifying campaign with consecutive 1-0 victories against the Republic of Ireland and Sweden, before they recorded another narrow win in Friday’s away clash against reigning European champions England.
Defender Elisa De Almeida cancelled out Beth Mead‘s opener with an inventive finish from a corner, before Paris Saint-Germain forward Marie-Antoinette Katoto fired home the winner in the 68th minute.
At the halfway stage of qualifying, France are sitting top of Group Three with a healthy four-point cushion over Sweden and England, knowing that a win on Tuesday will seal their place at an eighth consecutive European Championship.
A draw could also be enough to secure qualification if Sweden fail to claim maximum points in their home meeting with Ireland.
France will be targeting another strong defensive display, having conceded more than one goal in just one of their previous 13 internationals.
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England have a fight on their hands to finish in the top two after collecting just four points from their first three qualifiers.
The Lionesses got their campaign underway with a 1-1 draw against Sweden, before recording a 2-0 away victory over Ireland on matchday two.
Those two results extended England’s unbeaten run to six matches, but that fine run of form ultimately came to a disappointing end in Friday’s home clash with France.
Despite opening the scoring, Sarina Wiegman‘s side fell to their first defeat since October, leaving them in third place on goal difference.
Although they have the safety of the playoffs, England will still be determined to secure automatic qualification as they target a seventh consecutive European Championship appearance.
The Lionesses will also be looking to continue their impressive scoring run, having found the net in each of their last 11 matches since losing to Spain in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.
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The hosts are having to cope without the services of their all-time top scorer Eugenie Le Sommer due to a knee injury.
France boss Herve Renard could be tempted to select the same lineup that started Friday’s successful outing at St James’ Park.
Lyon’s Vicki Becho missed the reverse fixture through suspension, but she will be available to feature among the substitutes on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, England are unable to call upon Lauren James, who has been forced to miss the two matches against France due to a foot problem.
James’ Chelsea teammate Hannah Hampton is set to start in goal after Mary Earps sustained a hip injury in the early stages of Friday’s defeat.
Wiegman could be tempted to make a couple more changes, with Alex Greenwood and Chloe Kelly both pushing for starting spots.
France Women possible starting lineup:
Peyraud-Magnin; Lakrar, Renard, De Almeida, Karchaoui; Dali, Toletti, Bacha; Diani, Cascarino, Katoto
England Women possible starting lineup:
Hampton; Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Greenwood; Stanway, Toone, Walsh; Mead, Hemp, Kelly
England will be desperate to avenge Friday’s defeat, but we think that they could fall to another narrow loss against a France side that will be full of confidence after winning nine of their last 11 matches.
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