By Jamie Spencer
Should-Win
England have been second greatest for almost all of their opening fixture in opposition to France and a second defeat in opposition to the Dutch would spell an unfathomable early elimination for the defending champions with a recreation nonetheless to play.
Even a draw would go away the Lionesses with an uphill battle and never answerable for their very own future in the case of reaching the knockouts – on high of profitable their very own closing recreation in opposition to Wales, they might possible must depend on the opposite consequence within the group.
For the Netherlands, a win will get them via – due to what can be a superior head-to-head file in opposition to Wales and England – and takes the strain off their subsequent recreation in opposition to France.
Head-to-Head
There have been 23 encounters since a primary assembly in 1973, with England profitable 14 of these. 4 have been attracts and the Dutch have gained 5 instances.
The Lionesses gained the newest conflict in December 2023, within the UEFA Nations League, coming from 2-0 down to say a 3-2 victory in stoppage time at Wembley Stadium. However the Dutch had gained 2-1 within the reverse fixture just some weeks earlier.
Latest Type
England solely misplaced three of the primary 39 aggressive fixtures performed below Sarina Wiegman, now it’s three defeats within the final 4.
The Netherlands loved a cushty 3-0 win over Wales on matchday one which noticed Vivianne Miedema rating her 100th worldwide objective – Arsenal’s Victoria Pelova and Barcelona’s Esmee Brugts obtained the others. However coming into the match, they’d been annoyed by Scotland (1-1) and thrashed by Germany (4-0) of their two earlier aggressive video games.
Contemporary Vitality
Wiegman defended her group choice in opposition to France, which featured 10 gamers who have been a part of the Euro 2022-winning squad from three years in the past. “I don’t have regrets. We attempt to flip each stone earlier than we make the lineup,” she mentioned after the defeat, however equally hasn’t dominated out making adjustments.
There’s a clamour for Michelle Agyemang to get extra of a chance. {The teenager} scored a stunner 41 seconds into her senior debut in April and had an affect in a brief cameo in opposition to France. Her uncompromising fashion and fearlessness already instructions respect from her teammates.
Grace Clinton additionally impressed briefly in opposition to France, whereas Maya Le Tissier, Jess Park and Aggie Beever-Jones all have attributes that might enhance what was a stale efficiency final day out.
Workforce Information
All 23 gamers once more skilled for England on Tuesday, which had been the case earlier than dealing with France. Lauren James is constructing health on a regular basis, a major enhance provided that they she was the participant who regarded extra possible than every other to make one thing occur final day out.
There must be loads of familiarity with the Dutch squad for a lot of the Lionesses, with greater than half (12) of the squad enjoying their membership soccer in England final season. However that works each methods. “I already know quite a lot of these ladies,” right-back Kerstin Casparij mentioned.
Prediction
The Lionesses began properly and completed properly in opposition to France, it was 70 minutes within the center that was the issue. They should be higher. The Dutch aren’t as polished everywhere in the pitch because the French, however nonetheless possess large threats and can take confidence from each their very own victory over Wales and the character of England’s opening efficiency: England 2-2 Netherlands.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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