England have received a timely reminder of what coach Phil Neville wants with his post-Scotland demands for relentlessness ahead of their second Group B outing against Argentina.
The aide-memoire in question came in the form of the USA’s merciless thrashing of Thailand in their opening outing of the tournament.
Leading 3-0 at half-time, a lead of just one goal more than the Lionesses held at the break of their 2-1 win over the Scots, the WNT rained down 10 unanswered goals during the final 45 minutes.
Argentina proved themselves unlikely to suffer a similar fate with the dogged defensive display that earned their first ever World Cup point in their 0-0 draw with 2015 finalists Japan.
However, the stubbornness and defiance that saw Carlos Borrello’s side thwart the Nadeshiko in Paris could also provide the perfect canvas for Steph Houghton’s troops to paint the picture of relentlessness their manager demands.
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Argentina could come unstuck in the second half
The William Hill traders’ clearly can’t countenance the Albicelestes frustrating superior opposition for a second game in succession – England are 1/20 favourites for victory in the match betting.
However, the tenacity the South Americans showed against Japan should ensure Borello’s half-time team talk is more hairdryer than tear dryer.
Highest scoring half odds of 19/20 about the second period correspond well with a narrative of England breaking down their foes before going for the jugular in the manner Neville requires.
Field day forecast for Ellen White
Backing Manchester City centre-forward White to bag in a Lionesses win for the second game in a row represents another way to chisel a bit more value from the England vs Argentina betting.
The England/White wincast pays odds of 4/5 and the 30-year-old’s aerial ability, combined with her thirst for getting to loose balls first should see her swell her account for the tournament.
Whether she’ll bag enough to keep pace with the USA’s Alex Morgan (who netted five against the hapless Thais) in the Women’s World Cup top goalscorer betting remains to be seen.
That doesn’t stop the 15/4 about her to net twice or more making plenty of appeal though.
Japan were able to make plentiful inroads into the Argentina penalty area last time out with crosses regularly inducing uncertainty between keeper Vannina Correa and her back four.
Redeemed by the profligacy of Asako Takakura’s side, the Albicelestes are unlikely to be so fortunate against England, for whom Alex Greenwood and Lucy Bronze offer quality deliveries from which White in particular should thrive.
Be sure to stay tuned to news.williamhill.com for more Women’s World Cup 2019 betting predictions, after a correct score corker from our England vs Scotland preview.