STAR PREVIEW Weds: England Women v Austria Women

Hosts England will kick-off their 2022 Women’s European Championship campaign against Irene Fuhrmann’s Austria at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening with an expectant nation watching on.

The Lionesses will be hoping to make a strong start to the tournament with expectation high that this could well be England’s year. Meanwhile, Austria will be desperate to spoil the party and get their Euros off to a positive start.

Sarina Wiegman has already got her hands on the trophy once before whilst in charge of the Netherlands and will certainly feel confident in doing it again with the plethora of high-quality options she has to choose from.

Lucy Bronze – who has recently departed Manchester City for Barcelona – was left out of their friendly win over Switzerland but should slot back in at right-back for this one.

Ellen White is likely to lead the line – despite not the most prolific of seasons in the WSL – but who supports her is really anyone’s guess with Wiegman not short of options in the attacking department.

England Women v Austria Women
UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Group Stage
20:00 BBC One / BBC iPlayer / BBC Sport Website

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
NOV 2021 WORLD CUP England 1-0 Austria
NOV 2018 FRIENDLY Austria 0-3 England
APR 2014 FRIENDLY England 3-0 Austria
AUG 2010 WORLD CUP Austria 0-4 England
MAR 2010 WORLD CUP England 3-0 Austria

Although England are the clear favourites for this opening match of the tournament, Austria are not to be sniffed at.

Fuhrmann’s side took the ‘dark horses’ tag in the 2017 Euros by reaching the semi-final stage in their very appearance at a major tournament.

They face an uphill battle in repeating that feat, though, after being placed in a group alongside two tough sides in England and Norway.

England must not fall into the trap of underestimating their opponents but – if they play in the way we know they can – they should have enough to get past Austria on Wednesday night.

We’re backing an England win to nil here.

JOE CITRONE

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