Can England Women do something which they have never done under coach Hope Powell and beat France in their final group match of Euro 2013? The English women, a squad torn apart by injuries, are in a bit of a hole, really needing to beat France Women on Thursday in their Group C match if they are to progress through to the quarter finals. That’s a pretty tough ask, as Powell has never guided the national side to a victory over France during her fifteen years in charge.
With the Women’s Euro 2013 tournament being split into three groups, the top two sides from each go through, along with the two best runners up. So England will have to see what happens in Group A and Group B ahead of their match with France to see what they have to do. It isn’t a great situation for them though, after losing their opening match to a late Spain goal, and then needing a late goal themselves to take a point off Russia.
England women, going up against Russia, who are the lowest ranked side in the tournament, were expected to pull out a win, but it needed a late rescuing goal from Toni Duggan to just get a point. So there is disappointment in the England camp, and Hope Powell’s troops have been lagging with some pretty directionless, lackluster periods so far. On the plus side, that hasn’t stopped them creating a lot of chances so far.
If they can just find another gear, then they could yet be a threat, but England Women v France Women betting, sees the French go as favourite. France, as expected look one of the strongest sides in the tournament, powering their way to two opening wins. They have composure, they have flair and are living up to their billing as one of the favourites.
During Hope Powell’s time in charge, England Women have faced France Women five times in competitive action. In four World Cup qualifiers, there have been two draws and two French wins, and the French won their most recent meeting, a quarter final penalty shoot out at the 2011 Women’s World Cup.
England Women v France Women betting odds at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
France 3/5, Draw 13/5, England 5/1
The match is being shown live on BBC 3 on Thursday and will therefore fall under the Ladbrokes Red Card Refund offer. If there is a red card in the match, then the bookie will refund losing Correct score and Next Goalscorer bets which have been placed in-play after kick off. The maximum refund is £25 per customer, per market. New customers can get up to £30 worth of free bets as a welcome bonus from the highly rated bookmaker.
