China vs England predictions: Lionesses can ease into last 16
- England have lost only one of their 34 matches under Sarina Wiegman
- The Lionesses have kept clean sheets in each of their last three internationals
- Recommended bet: England to win to nil
England have made steady progress at the 2023 Women's World Cup, winning both of their matches in Group D by 1-0 margins, and they can book their place in the knockout stages by avoiding defeat against China in Adelaide.
The Lionesses have yet to move into second gear but have got the results needed so far and are fancied to topple the Chinese, who are battling with Denmark and Haiti for second spot in the section.
Team news
Midfielder Zhang Rui is set to miss out for China after receiving a red card in their last match against Haiti, meaning Zhang Xin could come into the team.
England were dealt a major blow in their win over Denmark when Keira Walsh was forced off with an injury.
It was suspected to be an ACL problem but scans have since ruled that out. She will, however, still be missing and England could choose to deploy Georgia Stanway in a deeper role or draft Laura Coombs into the team.
The stats
England have sustained only one defeat in 34 matches since Sarina Wiegman took charge of the team in September 2021, losing to Australia in a friendly in April.
Their 1-0 win over Denmark last time out was the team's third-successive clean sheet and each of their last five matches in all competitions have featured under 2.5 goals.
China, meanwhile, are looking to win successive matches at a Women's World Cup for the first time since 1999.
Prediction
Wiegman would likely have wanted more from her team at the Women's World Cup so far, but results are the most important thing in tournament football and a pair of 1-0 victories is hardly a disgrace.
The performance against Denmark showed signs of improvement from the Haiti win and England can make it three victories from three matches in Group D.
Wiegman has done an extraordinary job since taking charge of the Lionesses, guiding them to Euro 2022 glory last year and losing only once during her tenure.
It was always going to be tough to keep the same intensity at the Women's World Cup given England have had to deal with some major injuries and do not have home advantage like they did at the Euros.
The loss of midfielder Walsh to injury is also not ideal and means the likes of Georgia Stanway may be required to drop deeper, limiting England's attacking thrust from midfield.
But England have one of the deepest squads in the tournament, as shown by the performance of goalscorer Lauren James in the 1-0 win over the Danes last time out.
China are up against it in the group and, having not scored from open play in the tournament so far, they could struggle to breach England, who can grind out a decisive victory.
