Lionesses likely to progress to Euro 2017 Quarter-Finals
Check out our 17/2 correct score shout for England’s final group game
England face Portugal in their final UEFA Women’s European Championships Group D clash this Thursday and with the Lionesses only needing a point to top the table, things are looking good.
Mark Sampson’s side knocked neighbours Scotland for six in their opening game, with Jodie Taylor netting a hat-trick, before a very professional performance saw off a much-improved Spanish team to leave them with six points from two games.
Those results see England in the driving seat in their group and has seen their price shorten to 7/2 (from 7/1) to win Euro 2017.
All they have to do is avoid defeat to win the group, but don’t count on them resting on their laurels.
England scoring goals and defending well
The 6-0 thrashing of Scotland was the perfect start for England, but arguably more impressive was their 2-0 win over Spain in their second game.
After Fran Kirby broke the offside trap to send them on their way, England came under the cosh as Spain dominated possession, but created very few clear cut chances.
They were perhaps fortunate to get away with a potential penalty decision against Ellen White, but the way they defended, and then went on to grab a late goal to kill the game, showed how mature this England side really is.
Both teams NOT to score looks the likely outcome at 4/7 here, much more value than the 1/6 on offer for England to win. The last time these two nations clashed, England cruised to a 4-0 win and a repeat of that scoreline attracts a price of 17/2 this time around.
Portuguese no match for Lionesses
Portugal were easily seen off 2-0 by Spain in their opening clash, but it’s the manner of their struggling win over Scotland that suggests they’ll find life difficult against England.
After going ahead in the game, they let their lead slip before quickly replying with what turned out to be the winning goal. Scotland really gave them a game and, had they taken their chances, could have won the match themselves.
On collateral form, England should win this easily and that’s reflected in their match result market odds. Portugal’s backline doesn’t inspire confidence and England’s attacking line is among the best in the competition, so over 3.5 goals at 13/10 is tempting as is England to win with a -2 handicap at 29/20.
By the end of this game, if all goes to plan, we’ll already know who England’s quarter-final opponents will be, but they can’t look that far ahead just yet. They still have to get something against Portugal and if you’re having a bet, make sure you get yourself over to Coral to jump into the action.
