By Hannah Pinnock
The Lionesses are back in UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying action on Tuesday night against France, just a matter of days after their defeat to the same opposition at St James' Park.
England had hoped to gain a firm grip on their group, which also includes Sweden and the Republic of Ireland, when they faced France in the North East last week. Despite Beth Mead firing them in front in the first half, set-piece goals from Elisa De Almeida and Marie-Antoinette Katoto inflicted a disappointing defeat on the Lionesses.
Sarina Wiegman's side now sit third in the standings, behind Sweden on goal difference. A win in Saint-Etienne on Tuesday will ensure they stay within touching distance of second place ahead of their final two qualifiers in July.
Should England fail to secure a top-two finish, they will be required to contest two rounds of play-off games in order to book their place at next summer's tournament in Switzerland. The Lionesses will be hoping for no significant upsets as they look to retain their European crown after their 2022 victory at Wembley.
Here's 90min's preview of Tuesday's Euro qualifier between England and France.
What time does France Women vs England Women kick-off?
- Location: Saint-Etienne, France
- Stadium: Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
- Date: Tuesday 4 June
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- Referee: Ivana Martincic (CRO)
France Women vs England Women total H2H record
- France Women: 8 wins
- England Women: 2 wins
- Draws: 6
Current form (all competitions)
How to watch France Women vs England Women on TV and live stream
France Women team news
France boss Herve Renard confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Monday that everyone had trained as normal and he expects a fully fit squad on Tuesday night.
Vicki Becho has served a one-game suspension as a result of the red card she received in their 1-0 win over Sweden back in April and is available for selection once again. Lyon's Eugenie Le Sommer is the notable absentee from the squad following the injury she picked up during the last international break.
France Women predicted lineup vs England
France Women predicted lineup vs England (4-4-2): Peyraud-Magnin; De Almeida, Lakrar, Renard, Bacha; Dali, Karchaoui, Toletti, Diani; Cascarino, Katoto.
England Women team news
England will be without goalkeeper Mary Earps on Tuesday night after she was forced off in the opening minutes of Friday's fixture against France with a hip injury. The FA confirmed over the weekend the Manchester United shot-stopper had withdrawn from the camp to continue treatment.
Wiegman confirmed in her press conference on Monday the injury isn't thought to be serious and Earps should be available for selection again in July when the Lionesses face Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.
Chelsea's Niamh Charles and Arsenal's Lotte Wubben-Moy are also notable absentees following their withdrawal from the squad in recent weeks, with United's Maya Le Tissier promoted from the standby list in their place.
Lauren James was also ruled out of the France double-header as she continues to nurse an injury sustained at the end of the Women's Super League season last month.
England Women predicted lineup vs France
England Women predicted lineup vs France (4-3-3):Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Bright, Carter; Walsh, Stanway, Toone; Mead, Russo, Hemp.
France Women vs England Women score prediction
If Friday night's performance against France is anything to go by, England have it all to do on Tuesday. The Lionesses looked extremely vulnerable at set pieces and, despite seeing plenty of the ball, they failed to create much with it.
The game at St James' Park on home soil was arguably England's greatest hope of getting a result against a France side only growing in stature. Renard's team progressed all the way to the Nations League final before they were beaten by World Cup winners Spain, but the improvement of Les Bleues in recent years is clear to see.
On Tuesday, France will be on their own soil with a home crowd behind them. While the match in Saint-Etienne isn't expected to attract as big of a crowd as Friday's fixture in Newcastle, Renard's side will still expect to walk away with all three points to all but secure top spot in the group.
Based on the vulnerabilities displayed by England last week, it's hard to see them putting this France team to the sword. Wiegman's side aren't quite the inevitable and unbeatable force they once were.
Prediction: France Women 3-1 England Women
READ MORE OF THE LATEST LIONESSES NEWS, QUOTES & MATCH PREVIEWS
This article was originally published on 90min.com as France Women vs England Women: Preview, predictions and lineups.
