England are back in action for the first time since July’s historic Euro 2022 victory on Saturday, as they take on Austria in their penultimate World Cup qualifier.
The Lionesses will be assured of their place at next summer’s World Cup if they avoid defeat against Irene Fuhrmann’s side, who are currently second in the group.
However, England will not have it all their own way, with Austria proving a stern test when the pair met two months earlier in the Euro 2022 opener at Old Trafford as the Lionesses edged a 1-0 victory.
When is kick off? Saturday 3 September, 16:30 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Stadion Wiener Neustadt
TV channel/livestream? ITV (UK)
What time does coverage start? 16:00 (BST)
England are without five members of their Euro 2022 winning squad; Ellen White and Jill Scott have announced their retirement from professional football, Hannah Hampton has remained with Aston Villa due to personal reasons and Fran Kirby and Chloe Kelly are both out through injury.
Katie Zelem, Jordan Nobbs, Ebony Salmon, Lauren James and Sandy MacIver have all been recalled to the Lionesses squad by Sarina Wiegman for the September camp.
Kirby and White are the only absentees who started all six of England’s Euro 2022 matches; Manchester United duo Ella Toone and Alessia Russo, who were so effective from the bench during the tournament, could come in to the team in their place.
Austria (4-5-1): Zinsberger; Wienroither, Schnaderbeck, Wenninger, Henshaw; Dunst, Puntigam, Zadrazil, Feiersinger, Naschwenweng; Billa.
England (4-3-3): Earps; Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Daly; Walsh, Stanway, Toone; Mead, Russo, Hemp.
Recent encounters between these two sides have been tight, cagey affairs, with England registering narrow 1-0 victories in their last two victories.
Austria are a resilient, dogged and defensively well-drilled side – Laura Wienroither particularly impressed during the Euros – but the Lionesses should have enough quality to edge past them, and continue their remarkable record under Sarina Wiegman.
Prediction: Austria 0-1 England
