England v China preview: Lionesses seeking perfect unbeaten start to World Cup

Following a duo of 1-0 victories over Haiti and Denmark, England are looking to make it a perfect three-from-three against China, with three teams still in contention to finish on top of Group D. 

We preview the fixture below.

Lauren James’ talent key to Lionesses’ success 

Last week, England needed a spot of brilliance to get past Denmark at the Sydney Football Stadium and luckily for Sarina Wiegman’s side, Lauren James was on hand to do just that.

James, sister to Chelsea’s Reece James, was re-introduced into the starting XI for the first time this tournament, a rare change of tactic from Wiegman having named an unchanged 11 for all of her team’s fixtures during their successful European Championship campaign.

On what was her second appearance in the World Cup having come on as a substitute for their 1-0 win over Haiti, it took England’s number seven just six minutes to find the back of the Danish net.

The 21-year-old received the ball 30 yards out with a quick turn towards goal, and after taking on the pressing defence, her curling right-footed effort from outside the box clattered into the back of the netting.

In just 13 games for the international side at a senior level, she has made her mark on the squad since her debut 11 months ago thanks to a goal in the Arnold Clark Cup against South Korea as well as her most recent, and important, conversion. James is 16/5 to add another goal against China, while Alessia Russo is England’s favourite to get on the scoresheet at 21/10.

Therefore, her inclusion from minute one against China will be crucial to the Lionesses’ success in an important group stage game, where they are strongly fancied at 1/3 to pick up all three points.

Important final game for tournament development 

Although it looks like the European champions are set to qualify for the round of 16 bar a big swing of results against them – which can happen if China beat England, Denmark beat Haiti, and both have a better goal difference than the Lionesses – this final group stage game is a big one for who they will face next.

The team that tops Group D will face the runner-up in Group B which will be Nigeria after their scoreless draw with the Republic Of Ireland on Monday, however, if they fall short and make it through in second, the hosts Australia would be their next opponent.

This, on paper, looks like a swing in quality on who England will face in the next round.

Firstly, on head-to-head form, Australia got the better of the Lionesses’ during their last game against each other in April of this year in a game where the Matildas converted both shots on goal at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford.

Furthermore, prior to this World Cup, Australia had only lost once in nine games whereas Nigeria had lost four in seven, so the home nation does deliver more consistent results as opposed to the Super Falcons.

This knowledge about potential future opponents will also be on the minds of China who will be without midfielder Zhang Rui after her red card in the 29th minute against Haiti.

A draw (16/5) would be enough to see England head into the knockout stage as the group leaders, but their task in order to get there won’t be easy against a China team with nothing-to-lose, and the Steel Roses will be hoping to cause a massive shock at 13/2 to claim victory.

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