England take on the Netherlands at Elland Road on Friday evening in the Lionesses’ penultimate pre-Euro 2022 friendly.
The game sees England boss Sarina Wiegman face her former side for the first time since departing the Netherlands to take the Lionesses hot seat in September 2021.
Under her stewardship, the Netherlands blossomed into a force to be reckoned with on the international stage, winning Euro 2017 and reaching the 2019 World Cup final. Friday’s fixture will offer a real insight into how England could fare at Euro 2022 against a side who will also be expecting to go deep in the tournament.
When is kick off? Friday 24 June, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Elland Road
TV channel/live stream? ITV4, ITV Hub (UK)
What time does coverage start? 19:15 (BST)
England will be without Ellen White, after the Manchester City striker returned home following a positive Covid-19 test. Alessia Russo or Beth England will likely be given the opportunity to lead the line in White’s absence.
Wiegman otherwise has all 22 players available for selection, meaning Jess Carter is in contention to return, having missed out against Belgium as she worked her way back to full fitness. It will be interesting to see whether Wiegman chooses to rotate her goalkeepers over the course of England’s three friendlies, or if she sticks with number one Mary Earps throughout.
Friday is the Netherlands’ first pre-Euro 2022 friendly, and could see former Arsenal fan favourite Danielle van de Donk start her first match in seven months. The midfielder has been sidelined since November with a foot tendon problem, but made a goalscoring return from the bench in Lyon’s final match of the season in her first appearance since picking up the injury.
Sherida Spitse will earn her 200th cap for the Netherlands if she features at Elland Road.
England: Hampton; Daly, Bright, Greenwood, Carter; Williamson, Walsh, Toone; Kelly, Russo, Mead.
Netherlands: Van Veenendaal; Wilms, Van der Gragt, Nouwen, Van Dongen; Groenen, Spitse, Roord; Martens, Miedema, Beerensteyn
Friday evening’s fixture promises to be a fascinating encounter, as two of Europe’s top sides go toe to toe. Both teams are blessed with real talent in wide areas in the shape of Lauren Hemp, Lieke Martens, Lineth Beerensteyn, Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly, meaning it’s set to be a busy night for both sets of fullbacks.
An evening of exciting, attacking football is in store, but ultimately with nothing to separate the two sides.
Score prediction: England 1-1 Netherlands
