England full their group video games within the inaugural Women’s Nations League over the subsequent few days, enjoying the Netherlands at Wembley on Friday after which Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday.
Here, the PA information company appears to be like at some of the talking points ahead of the double-header.
Must-win
NEXT UP: A giant #UWNL conflict at Wembley. #Lionesses | @NuffieldHealth pic.twitter.com/nkhSEvPhxo
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) November 30, 2023
This competitors supplies England with the prospect to safe Paris 2024 Olympic qualification for Great Britain, ought to they first end high of Group A1 – one thing they’re in appreciable hazard of failing to do. Lying third with six points from 4 video games, three points behind the Dutch and one behind Belgium, they must win on Friday to remain in competition. They misplaced 2-1 within the Netherlands in September, and had been additionally crushed of their most up-to-date outing, 3-2 away in opposition to Belgium.
Relegation menace
If England are defeated once more by Wiegman’s previous aspect, and Belgium beat Scotland at house the identical evening, in addition to the Olympic bid being over, the Lionesses can be confirmed as getting into the Nations League relegation play-offs. After the highs of the final two years underneath her administration, that situation would signify some come down for the European champions and World Cup runners-up.
The Scotland state of affairs
While it stays to be seen what the state of play is come Tuesday, a talking level from the phrase go as England headed into this competitors because the one house nation in a position to declare Olympic qualification for GB has been that their group features a Scotland outfit with gamers additionally holding Paris hopes. England midfielder Keira Walsh has described the state of affairs as “a little bit strange”, however stated of Tuesday: “If I’m putting myself in their shoes, it’s a big game against England. They’re going to want to win.” Wiegman’s staff beat Scotland 2-1 in Sunderland of their group opener in September.
No Bright
England, already with out Leah Williamson, additionally for these two video games have the participant who has skippered the staff in her absence, fellow defender Millie Bright, out injured on account of a knee difficulty. Wiegman has confirmed goalkeeper Mary Earps will put on the armband.
Mead’s return
So are we @bmeado9 https://t.co/428jm4RL15 pic.twitter.com/hzXiLlrsFW
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) November 28, 2023
England even have a big-name participant again within the fold, with the fit-again Beth Mead – like Williamson, absent from the summer season’s World Cup as she recovered from an ACL damage – having been recalled. Wiegman stated it was as if Mead “hasn’t been away” with out confirming whether or not the ahead would begin or not on Friday. Any look could be her first at worldwide degree in simply over a 12 months for the Euro 2022 Golden Boot winner.
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