France vs England Women Preview
England and France kick off their Euro 2025 campaign in a huge Group D clash on July 5th at 8:00 pm. The two headline a tough group and are among the favourites to win the tournament.
England earned a historic win over France the last time they met. Les Bleues enter on a high after a huge win over Brazil. Who will gain a foothold in Group D with a huge victory on Saturday night?
France vs England Women Predictions
Score prediction: France 0-1 England
One of our top soccer predictions this week is for England to begin their Euro 2025 campaign with a victory over France. This Group C clash between two of Europe’s heavyweights could define the path to the knockout stages. Both teams are stacked with elite talent and tactical nous, but we’re backing England to edge it. The Lionesses have genuine championship quality throughout this team, having won the tournament in 2022. That experience can be the difference maker in this clash of giants.
England blends tournament experience with new energy, and key players are returning to form at the perfect time. Leah Williamson adds composure to the back line, while Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway remain one of the most balanced midfields in the game. Going forward, Lauren James and Chloe Kelly offer unpredictability and flair. Their depth in attack is arguably the best in the world. Alessia Russo, Beth Mead and the young Aggie Beever-Jones have great eyes for goal. Those players possess the kind of qualities that unlock the very best defences, something that will be vital against this shrewd French backline.
Sarina Wiegman’s side is tactically flexible and rarely gets outworked. Their ability to control space, dictate tempo, and stay compact out of possession makes them incredibly tough to break down. They will probably dominate the ball here and play a patient, structured passing game to nullify France’s counterattacks.
France, under Laurent Bonadei, has attacking firepower but remains vulnerable under pressure against top sides. On paper, their recent defensive record looks excellent, having kept clean sheets in five of their previous six games leading into the tournament. However, the highest-ranked team they faced was 14th-placed Iceland. They conceded twice in the only game they played against a top-five-ranked nation, a 3-2 win over Brazil.
Les Bleues could be considered lucky to have left with the win that evening, and England will be far more ruthless. Their back line has shown cracks when pressed high, and England’s pressing structure could force errors. If the Lionesses win the midfield battle and control transitions, they have the weapons to punish France.
France may be underdogs, but this game will still be very tightly contested. England have been accused of lacking a cutting edge at times. The Lionesses have performed relatively well against top sides, beating Spain in February and only narrowly losing to them at the beginning of June. However, they have struggled to turn dominance into goals against weaker teams.
They lost 3-2 to Belgium in April despite finishing with 68% possession and having 17 shots to five. If France can score an early goal, England may struggle to break down any rearguard action. Expect Les Bleues to defend compactly and try to hit the Lionesses on the break.
This match will be tactical, but England’s game management, structure, and ability to strike decisively in key moments could be the difference. Expect a narrow, hard-fought win for the European champions.
Players to Watch
- Lauren James (Forward, England): Lauren James is England’s most exciting player in attack. The Chelsea forward is dynamite with the ball at her feet, using intelligent movement and dribbling to tie defenders up in knots. She thrives in tight spaces and is astute at finding gaps in wide areas and isolating defenders. James is just as adept at scoring as she is with playmaking and can pull goals from out of nowhere. She will be the key to breaking down France’s defence, and her ability to deliver in high-pressure moments could tilt the game in England’s favour.
- Kadidiatou Diani (Forward, France): Kadidiatou Diani remains one of France’s most dangerous weapons. The centre forward is an all-round nightmare for defenders, combining sharp technique and flair with speed and physicality. The Lyon winger is a constant threat when running in behind or cutting in from the right. In a game where England could dominate the ball, her physical attributes will be vital to France’s counterattacks. Diani’s duel with Greenwood or Daly on England’s left flank will be one of the game’s key battles. If she gets time and space, she can change the game in an instant.
France vs England Women Betting Tips
- Full-Time Result – England to win: England are favourites for this game and offer attractive odds of 13/10 with our online sportsbook. This is a huge game for both sides, but we think the Lionesses should come out with the victory here. A bet on France is worth 23/10 if you think they can cause the upset.
- Player to Score – Lauren James: Lauren James is a proven big-game player. She’s capable of scoring from outside the box or ghosting into space inside it. James looks sharp heading into the Euros and will be England’s X-Factor here. With France likely to focus on Russo or Kelly, James could benefit from the extra space. Consider backing the Chelsea forward to score anytime, worth 9/4 for anyone betting on Euro 2025.
- Over/Under – Under 2.5 Goals: Despite the attacking talent on both sides, this could be a tense, tactical affair with limited chances. England tends to manage games tightly, especially against top opposition, while France has shown a tendency to fade under pressure. Anyone betting on the over/under should back the under, worth 8/11.
- Outrights – England to reach the final: England enter Euro 2025 as reigning champions. They are the second-favourites to win the tournament behind Spain. The Lionesses boast some incredible talent, and if they can get off to a strong start against France, their pathway to the final looks favourable. England to reach the final is worth 2/1 for anyone betting on soccer.
France vs England Women Head-To-Head and Key Stats
These nations last clashed in June 2024 in a European Championship qualifier. England secured a historic 2-1 victory over France in Saint-Étienne. That marked the end of Les Bleues’ 59-game unbeaten run in major championship qualifiers and claimed their first away win against France in 51 years. Goals from Georgia Stanway and Alessia Russo in a dominant first-half performance gave the Lionesses a deserved lead. Stanway struck from the edge of the box on 21 minutes before Russo’s clever header doubled the advantage.
France improved after the break and were handed a lifeline when Kadidiatou Diani converted a penalty following Leah Williamson’s foul on Grace Geyoro. Despite late pressure, England held firm, with goalkeeper Hannah Hampton producing a key late save to deny Marie-Antoinette Katoto.
France earned a stunning 3-2 victory over Brazil in their final warm-up game ahead of Euro 2025, despite being under significant pressure for most of the match. They staged a thrilling comeback, rounding off their European preparations with an emphatic statement ahead of the summer. Les Bleues endured a nightmare start, conceding twice in the opening 11 minutes through Luany and Kerolin.
Brazil’s pace and intensity stunned the hosts early on, but France gradually settled and showed their resilience. Just before halftime, Sakina Karchaoui’s cross was met by Kadidiatou Diani, whose header was saved, but Grace Geyoro reacted quickest to tap in the rebound, giving France a lifeline. After the break, France seized control. Geyoro struck again to level the score. Then, with 15 minutes to play, Delphine Cascarino dazzled down the right flank and delivered a pinpoint cross for Marie-Antoinette Katoto to head home the winner and stun Brazil.
England demolished Jamaica in their final game before the tournament, earning a 7-0 win at the King Power Stadium. Ella Toone struck first in the 10th minute to put the Lionesses ahead early. The Reggae Girlz briefly thought they’d equalised at 1-0, but Kayla McKenna’s goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR check. Lucy Bronze headed home to double the lead after 32 minutes, and Toone sealed her brace before halftime to make it three.
Goals from Stanway, Alessia Russo, Aggie Beever-Jones, and Beth Mead in the second half sealed the rout. The Lionesses were dominant throughout, boasting over 80% possession and registering 17 shots on target, while Jamaica didn’t have so much as a shot in 90 minutes.
