Women's Euro 2022 predictions: Norway to hold Wiegman's England

England made a winning start to the Euro 2022 campaign with a 1-0 victory over Austria at a packed Old Trafford last Wednesday. 

And now he Lionesses head south to Brighton for their second Group A encounter against Norway, the biggest threat to their hopes of finishing top. 

The Norwegians, twice European champions, eased past tournament debutants Northern Ireland 4-1 in their opener on Thursday. 

Tonight's clash will be the first meeting between the two nations in almost three years. 

Norway were 2-1 winners in a Bergen friendly in September 2019 but that followed a roaring 3-0 success for the Lionesses in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in June of that year. 

Team news

England came through their opening contest unscathed, meaning boss Sarina Wiegman has a full squad to choose from. 

Manchester City defender Alex Greenwood surprisingly missed out against Austria but could come into the fold.

Norway have also reported no new injuries ahead of the clash, which could very well determine who finishes top of Group A. 

The stats

The victory over Austria was England's 13th in 15 matches under Wiegman, who is aiming to mastermind a second European Championship success in a row having led the Netherlands to glory in 2017. 

A feature of the Lionesses' play under Wiegman has been goals with England plundering 85 of them in the Dutchwoman's short reign. 

England have won their last two competitive meetings with Norway, at the 2019 and 2015 World Cups, but the Grasshoppers have won two of the pair's last three meetings in all. 

However, those are England's only defeats in the last nine meetings with the Norwegians (won five and drawn two). 

Norway have beaten England just once at a major tournament, a 2-0 group-stage victory in the 1995 World Cup — a tournament they would go on to win. 

Prediction

England got the winning start they craved against Austria on Wednesday but there was definitely room for improvement, especially in front of goal. 

Beth Mead's neat lobbed finish settled any nerves in front of an expectant Old Trafford crowd. 

But the hosts were uncharacteristically wasteful in front of goal after the Arsenal star had given their Euros campaign lift off. 

That said, they never looked in serious trouble of letting their advantage slip. 

The Lionesses' defence, which has conceded only three goals in 15 matches, appeared in good working order, which is good news ahead of taking on a talented Norwegian frontline spearheaded by former Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg. 

She was not among the goalscorers as Norway eased past Northern Ireland 4-1 in their opening match. 

Yet England will be only too aware of the threat posed by the Women's Champions League's record goalscorer. 

The winner of this evening's clash will be in pole position to finish top of Group A and that pressure may result in a more cautious approach from both sides. 

A point would mean both go into their final group games knowing victory would secure qualification to the knockout phase and it would not be a surprise if they cancelled each other out.

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