England vs Portugal predictions: Lionesses can make pre-World Cup statement
- Three of England Women’s last four wins have been by three or more goals
- Three of Portugal’s last six losses have been by three or more goals
- Recommended bet: England (W) -2 Handicap
England Women play their final friendly fixture before head to Australia and New Zealand for this summer’s World Cup on Saturday as they face Portugal Women at Stadium MK.
The Portuguese are also preparing for their own World Cup campaign but they head to Milton Keynes in poor form, having suffered a defeat to Japan before playing out a 1-1 draw with Wales in their last game.
Team news
England Women have finalised their 23-player squad for the World Cup and head coach Sarina Wiegman has included 16 players who were in the victorious Euro 2022 squad.
However, there are a few notable absentees as Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby and Beth Mead are all missing through injury.
There are a few players gearing up for their first major tournaments as Niamh Charles, Laura Coombs, Lauren James, Esme Morgan, Katie Robinson and Katie Zelem have been called up.
Wiegman is likely to select her strongest team to start on Saturday but is expected to make plenty of changes over the course of the game to try and give everyone some game time.
Two players on standby remain with the squad and Maya Le Tissier and Jess Park could feature at some stage despite missing out on the main World Cup travelling party.
Portugal coach Francisco Neto is likely to adopt a similar approach to his England counterpart and start with his best XI before making changes over the course of the game, having also finalised his 23-player travelling party.
The stats
England lost 2-0 to Australia in their last fixture but that defeat ended an incredible 30-game unbeaten run that fell just short of two full years.
England overcame Sweden 4-0 on their way to winning the Euro 2022 title after Portugal lost 5-0 to the same opponents earlier in the competition.
Portugal’s last six defeats have included 4-0 and 5-0 reverses to Sweden and a 3-0 loss to Germany.
The Lionesses have won all three of their previous meetings with Portugal, the last of which came in 2019.
England forward Laurent Hemp finished the WSL season in fine form for Manchester City with three goals and two assists in her final four appearances.
Prediction
England have a chance to make a bit of a statement before they head Down Under after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to co-hosts the Matildas in Brentford in April.
Sarina Wiegman’s side will still feel they are genuine contenders as they head to the World Cup as the European champions and they look stronger than Portugal in all areas of the pitch.
The Lionesses are more than capable of putting opponents to the sword on occasion and three of their last four wins have been by three or more goals — including a 6-1 win over Belgium and a 4-0 win over a Japan outfit who overcame Portugal 2-1 in April.
The visitors have just one defeat in their last 10 games but have not faced anyone of the same level as England during that run, and could be in line for a very difficult afternoon on Saturday.
