Williams: Injury-hit England open door for Germany to win World Cup

England legend Fara Williams is tipping Germany to win the Women's World Cup as the tournament roars into life this week.

Williams, a LiveScore ambassador for the competition, says that injuries suffered by Sarina Wiegman's England mean that the two-time champions are her pick.

She said: "If you had asked me last summer, I would have said England. But now I'm going to go with Germany, for sure.

"I think Alexandra Popp, who missed the Euros final, is a key player for them. That final might have been a different game had she played. 

"Lena Oberdorf is a fantastic talent. I hope Jule Brand gets more minutes, too, because she's one of their most skilful players.

"But it's not so much their individuals, it's the way they gel as a collective."

Williams also believes that co-hosts Australia can achieve big things this summer.

She said: "Pretty much all of Australia's starting XI play in the Women's Super League.

"I think that gives them a really good advantage going into the tournament. The home crowd, too, can be so important as we saw last summer.

"The crowd can edge those tight games for you."

Household names

Australia captain Sam Kerr has been ruled out of the first couple of matches with a calf injury, but Williams still expects her to shine individually over the next month.

She said: "Sam is an old-school striker in the sense that she likes to work the shoulders of the defenders. 

"Lots of strikers these days like to come short and let the defenders see everything but her movement is the most effective part of her game."

Williams also picked out rising stars from Brazil and the USA as players who can make themselves household names this summer.

She added: "Kerolin, the Brazilian forward who plays out in America, is an unbelievable talent. She could be really exciting to watch.

"Sophia Smith, too, is another top talent coming through. She's got 12 USA goals already and she's only 22."

Three Lions hopes

The 172-cap Lioness is not so optimistic that England can recreate last summer's heroics by lifting another major trophy.

Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby and Beth Mead will miss the tournament and Williams believes that their absence will be telling, saying: "Injuries have taken England away from being favourites for the tournament, for sure.

"Fran is one of the key players. I don't think she gets recognised enough and we've seen in her absence how they struggle to create chances.

"Obviously missing Leah and Beth is massive, too. That's your leader and last summer's hero."

But Williams does have high hopes for one young member of Sarina Wiegman's squad, who she believes can light up the competition.

She said: "I'm really hoping that Lauren James fulfils her potential. I hope the pressure doesn't take over because she's one of my favourite players.

"She's the future of this team and the key to their success this summer.

"We lack a bit of creativity so I think she should be played in the middle of the pitch as the No10. It would change the dynamic of the team.

"Overall, though, it's going to be difficult. I'm predicting a last-16 or quarter-final exit."

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