On 30.11.1872 the first official football international match took place. Scotland and England met in Glasgow and drew 0-0. At the time no one would have thought possible that the round leather would conquer the ladies as well. Nowadays women’s games are quite normal and so the old British rivals face this Sunday at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France. Both want to make the first step into the second round, which is more likely to the Englishman, because the Three Lionesses are even among the narrowest title candidates.
For Scotland, it should be a little tighter, because only the first two are sure to enter the next round, while only the four best group third followed in the playoffs. With Vice World Champion Japan, however, at least one very strong team is represented in this Group D. Only Argentina should be regarded as a great outsider in this pool. Therefore, it is important to take each point and also to make the goal as positive as possible. At first glance, in the duel between England and Scotland we would make a prediction on a victory of the English women.
But Scotland is dangerous and scored very good in the friendly matches. For almost all European teams, the minimum goal is the qualification for the Olympic Games in Tokyo. For this you have to be among the best three teams from Europe. But this does not apply to Scotland and England, because both have their own National Olympic Committee and compete in the Olympics as Great Britain. However, this is not wanted by the national associations, because they fear for their independence and then could no longer compete in a European Championship or World Cup as Scots and Englishmen. Nevertheless, this derby has a certain appeal, of course. The Three Lionesses are likely to be slightly better in the squad, so we are tipping on the team of Phil Neville in the duel between England and Scotland. The kick-off for the group match at the Women’s World Cup 2019 between England and Scotland at the Allianz Riviera Arena in Nice will take place on 06.06.2019 at 17:00.
England:
The English ladies have taken a very big step in recent years. With the introduction of a professional league, the level has also risen sharply in the national team. The big clubs around Manchester City, Arsenal or Chelsea are increasingly turning to women’s football. That pays off now. In 2015, the Three Lionesses reached their best finish in a World Cup with third place. This year they are even more credited, because in the spring the English women won the prestigious She Believes Cup against the USA, Japan and Brazil. Those who can assert themselves there are inevitably among the tournament favorites at a World Cup. After this success, it was not completely round. There have been two defeats in the last four games and yet the odds between England and Scotland are low on a victory for Phil Neville and his ladies. Overall, the English women have a high quality in the squad, they now want to play in France.
That was not successful in the last test match. The dress rehearsal against the Underdog from New Zealand was a 0-1 defeat in the pants. However, Phil Neville has renounced numerous stars and rather looked at which players from the second guard at the World Cup can be built. Therefore, the coach does not hang this lot with the bankruptcy quite so high.
Rather, he relies on the spirit in his team. Basically, the English women’s football is currently missing only an international title, whether at the club level or with the national team, to the absolute luck. Phil Neville leaves no doubt that his team is capable of doing so. He describes his team with three attributes, namely motivated, fresh and fearless. Let’s see how much we get to see in the first match against Scotland. Personally, it looks very good. All the ladies in the squad should be fit. It is unfortunate that record player Fara Williams of Phil Neville has been assigned no place in the squad and only allowed to watch the World Cup.
Scotland:
Shelley Kerr is the face of Scottish women’s football. A trainer without a school diploma, who has become an icon in Scotland through diligence and ambition. The Iron Lady, as she is called in the home, was successful as a player in Scotland and also as a coach in England. In general, the Scottish team is very familiar with English football. Many players will have to play against clubmates on Sunday. There will hardly be any big secrets between the two neighbors. This means that the Englishmen will not have been unaware of the recent good form of Bravehearts. The Scottish women have not lost in the past five games and have beaten Brazil, among others. Overall, there have been four wins and one draw in the last five games. Therefore, it could also be a tried and tested means to set in the match between England and Scotland, a forecast on a point win for Scottish women.
The dress rehearsal was also a positive development for Scotland. Among newcomers to the World Cup, Jamaica won 3-2. The ladies from the Caribbean even took the lead 1-0. Erin Cuthbert and Caroline Weir brought Scotland forward with their goals. At break, it was 2: 2. Sophie Howard was in the 68th minute with the winner on the spot.
Despite the recent good results, coach Shelley Kerr is understated and sees her team against England, but also against Japan in the outsider role. Nevertheless, she is full of hopes that her team will be successful. But even more important, you seem to enjoy this event because it’s the first appearance of Scottish women in a World Cup. These will miss Emma Mitchell and Frankie Brown. Emma Mitchell will not be able to participate due to injury and there was no room for the experienced Frankie Brown in the squad. Nevertheless, the Scottish women travel to France with a competitive squad.
PREDICTION: Over 2,5 goals @ 1,70
