2023 World Cup: England Women vs China PR Women – Match preview, live stream, kick-off time, prediction, team news, lineups
England will be looking to wrap up a slow group stage with a third win and clean sheet. They face China next on Tuesday at the Hindmarsh Stadium.
England are currently leading the group and are on the verge of qualifying for the last-16.
China are also hoping to book their spot in the round of 16 – a feat they have achieved in all seven appearances at the Women’s World Cup, but if they want to keep their 100% record they’ll have plenty of work to do.
Match Preview
England World Cup campaign
Despite two wins and two clean sheets, many would say the European champions have not had the best start to their 2023 World Cup.
Their opening match against Haiti – a team ranked far below fourth place England on the Fifa list – saw the Lionesses struggle, failing to click, it was only thanks to a re-taken penalty by Georgia Stanway and plenty of greatness from goalkeeper Mary Earps, that England narrowly won.
Matchday two for England saw the Lionesses take on what was considered the hardest opponent in their group – Denmark. England started off strong, in the first 20 minutes, England showed the world they were serious contenders for the World Cup.
Lauren James scored a blinder of a goal for England – putting the Lionesses ahead after just six minutes.
But Denmark’s first attempt on goal saw the Lionesses fall apart, and once again they were saved by Earps.
Before the end of the first half, key player Keira Walsh was taken off with a knee injury and the mood quickly shifted. England managed to hold on but certainly didn’t play with much flair.
To advance out of the group stages and have a real shot at World Cup glory, England must start playing their matches how they dominated Denmark in the first 20 minutes. They’ve shown they can do it, now they must be consistent for the full 90 and the rest of the competition.
Losing Keira Walsh – who remains out with a knee injury confirmed not to be an ACL injury, will hurt for England but it will be a great opportunity for Georgia Stanway to step up.
England will qualify for the last 16 and wrap up first place if they collect a point on Tuesday, but a defeat and a Denmark win would bring a number of permutations into play.
China World Cup campaign
China kicked off their World Cup campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Denmark and suffered another setback when Zhang Rui was sent off in the first half against Haiti.
Despite playing over an hour with just 10 players, China were able to take all three points from Haiti – thanks to Wang Shuang’s 74th-minute penalty.
China are currently in third position, but they level Denmark on points, goal difference and number of goals scored.
China will be looking for a victory as it gives them the best possible chance of reaching the knockout stages.
Team News
China will be unable to call upon Zhang Rui, who will serve a one-match suspension after being sent off in the win over Haiti.
In the 34-year-old’s absence, Zhang Xin may be brought into the side to feature in a midfield three alongside Lingwei Yao and Lina Yang.
After coming off the bench to score from the penalty spot against Haiti, Shuang Wang could be rewarded with a starting place.
As for England, they would have been relieved with the positive news that Walsh did not suffer an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Walsh, who is ruled out of the final group game, still remains a doubt for the remainder of the tournament, and she is expected to be replaced in the side by Laura Coombs for Monday’s contest.
After marking her first start at the Women’s World Cup with a goal, James is set to retain her place in the front three alongside Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo.
China PR Women possible starting lineup:
Yu; Mengwen, Shanshan, Wei, Qiaozhu; Lingwei, Lina; Chengshu, Xi, Linyan; Jiahui
England Women possible starting lineup:
Earps; Bronze, Bright, Greenwood, Daly; Coombs, Stanway, Toone; Kelly, James, Russo
WTX Sport predicts England 2-0 China
News that Keira Walsh’s injury is not an ACL and the key player could make a return to the team before the end of the World Cup should have allowed England to sort their emotions following Walsh being stretched off the pitch.
With Stanway likely to step in for Walsh and Lauren James on the pitch, England should be confident going into their final game. It’s time to give it all and enjoy the World Cup.
