World Cup
England v Ukraine: Women’s World Cup Qualifier Predictions
England Women face Ukraine at Everton’s new Hill-Dickinson stadium in Liverpool on Tuesday night. With the Lionesses needing a win to keep their hopes of automatic World Cup qualification alive, William Hill News are here with their predictions for how the night may unfold.
This is a must-win fixture for Sarina Weigman’s side. Following a humbling 4-0 defeat to Spain in Mallorca last Friday, England’s grip on the top spot in Group A3 has loosened, with Spain now leading the way. England will also need Spain to slip up against Iceland if they are to claim automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
The Lionesses know their opposition well, with their most recent meeting being a dominant 6-1 victory courtesy of braces from Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway, and Jess Park. Tomorrow night, England have the comfort of playing on home turf, a passionate crowd and historical head-to-head results firmly on their side.
Our prediction: England Win & 3+ Goals – 1/8
England’s odds reflect just how one-sided we anticipate this fixture to be, and for good reason. The Lionesses scored 6 goals in the reverse fixture and simply cannot afford to drop points here, so a straightforward home victory feels like the most likely outcome. Weigman’s side have netted freely throughout this campaign and will be hungry to restore their confidence in front of goal after the damning result against Spain.
Meanwhile, Ukraine arrive on Merseyside without a single point earned from 5 games played, and a goal difference of -14, making them the ultimate underdogs at odds of 150/1.
Team news and head-to-head
After their defeat to Spain, Weigman will need to restore belief immediately, and the squad remains largely fit and available.
Captain Leah Williamson, who was sorely missed against Spain, is expected to miss out again, but Ukraine don’t present the same attacking threat as Spain did so her presence shouldn’t be as deeply felt tomorrow night.
Georgia Stanway, who netted twice in the reverse fixture in Turkey, offers drive and creativity in the midfield, while Alessia Russo will be looking to add to her already impressive tally against a Ukraine side that has defence has allowed goals to freely leak through.
Ukraine, coached by Iya Andrushchak, arrive in Liverpool having lost 1-0 to Iceland in their previous qualifier and are all but out of World Cup contention. Tomorrow’s trip to Merseyside offers little more than a chance to compete with pride.
How do the markets look?
The market is firmly behind England, and at 1/40 the Lionesses are as short-priced as you would expect against a side 57 places below them in the world rankings, and who have scored just 2 goals while conceding 16 in their previous 5 qualifying fixtures.
Ukraine at 150/1 reflects the apparent impossibility of an upset, while the draw at 14/1 offers little appeal given England need for three points. The real interest may lie in the goals markets, with England likely to be desperate to rebuild their confidence after a hammering in Spain and Ukraine’s leaky defence on show throughout the qualifying.
Backing a high scoring Lionesses win looks to represent the most likely outcome on the cards. Here’s the match winner market:
*Prices accurate at the time of writing – Odds subject to change*
