Kick-off: 1200, 01/08/2023
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
TV: ITV
England have been far from spectacular at the Women’s World Cup so far but are still on course to top Group D with three straight wins.
After shading 1-0 victories over Haiti and Denmark, the Lionesses are fancied to grind out another triumph over China in Adelaide.
We reckon 93/100 for the European champions to prevail and under 3.5 goals in the game is the way to go with our first China Women vs England Women prediction.
Steel Roses may wilt under pressure
China suffered a heartbreaking opening defeat when going down 1-0 to Denmark, with Amalie Vangsgaard grabbing a stoppage-time decider.
However, fortune favoured them when winning by the same scoreline against Haiti, who should have had a late penalty after Wang Shuang had converted a 74th-minute spot-kick.
England have not faced China since 2015 but head coach Sarina Wiegman met them at the Tokyo Olympics, where her Netherlands side topped a group in which the Steel Roses finished fourth.
“I think it’s a different team than it was two years ago,” said Wiegman. “It’s a different team, a different coach. They can play a direct style of play. I think they are very well organised.”
However, friendly defeats against Sweden, Spain and Brazil this year do not augur well for China, who were also held to a goalless draw by Republic of Ireland in February.
Looking at the China Women vs England Women odds, we like 5/1 for the Lionesses to oblige 2-0 this time.
England can cope without Walsh
After Georgia Stanway’s retaken penalty helped England edge out a hard-working Haiti outfit, Lauren James fired in a superb early strike to see off Denmark.
That second success was marred by Keira Walsh’s knee injury, putting her on the sidelines alongside Euros MVP Beth Mead and captain Leah Williamson.
Whether Walsh could feature again in the World Cup is still to be decided but Wiegman insisted: “We are just now focusing on China, she’s not available for China, let’s just keep it that way so far.
“I think we have a strong enough team, I think every game we want to be at our best. We had a group of 23, so now we have a group of 22 and we have found solutions, so we’ll show that.”
England veteran Rachel Daly added: “It’s obviously difficult losing a player of her ability and the quality that she brings, and off the pitch she’s a vital part of the team as well, so it’s tough.
“But we have a squad that can all be capable of stepping up in these moments. We know that as a team, the players believe in that. The staff believe in that. So, it’s a fantastic opportunity for somebody else to step up.”
Lauren Hemp looked lively in England’s first fixture and should be fresh again after only being used as a 76th-minute sub versus Denmark.
The 22-year-old Manchester City forward appeals at 10/3 to score in a win for the Lionesses for our China Women vs England Women betting tips.
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