England vs Haiti predictions: Lionesses can kick off with flurry of goals
- England scored 14 goals and conceded none in European Championship group last year
- Haiti beat Chile, ranked 12 places higher, to reach the World Cup for the first time
- Recommended bet: England Team Total Goals over 4.5
European champions England begin their quest for World Cup glory with what ought to be a routine group-stage dismantling of first-timers Haiti.
The Caribbean longshots are ranked 49 places below England on FIFA's list and it would be a major shock if that gulf was not realised at Lang Park in Brisbane.
But it has been a patchy build-up for Sarina Wiegman's injury-troubled Lionesses so they would dearly love to kickstart their campaign with a handsome triumph.
Team news
England captain Millie Bright, who has not played a competitive match since March because of a knee injury, has been cleared to play.
That is a big relief to Wiegman who is already without Bright's regular central defensive partner Leah Williamson.
Haiti head coach Nicolas Delepine still has a defensive formation to settle on.
He has tried several players and formations since Claire Constant picked up an injury which ruled her out of the finals.
It is expected that Kethna Louis will partner Chelsea Surpris at the heart of a back four.
The stats
England have failed to score in three successive games heading into the World Cup.
Haiti have one of the youngest squads at the World Cup — only one member of their 23-player squad is over the age of 26.
Prediction
Haiti have arrived in Brisbane for what looks a daunting Group D campaign feeling positive.
Despite the calibre of opponent — they also face China and Denmark — they will be facing over the coming days, coach Nicolas Delepine insists there is a quiet confidence running through their ranks.
They are certainly well organised under Delepine and definitely no pushover.
And they have one or two classy players in the likes of Sherly Jeudy, Roselord Borgella and skipper Nerilia Mondesir.
However, one would have to worry about the aerial threat posed against a keeper in Kerly Theus who stands just 5ft 4in, and you can be sure that Sarina Wiegman, a meticulous planner, will be preaching crosses into the box.
England's preparations for the tournament have been far from ideal but they should still win this and win it well.
There is a presumption that blanks against Australia, Portugal and Canada in build-up games means a rot has set in with England incapable of replacing the retired Ellen White and injued Beth Mead.
But those are three very organised teams and the matches were friendlies.
When it gets down to business Wiegman will want to make a statement and if they play to their capabilities they can sweep Haiti aside in a flurry of goals.
