Just four nights on from their clash in Newcastle, France and England go head-to-head in another crucial Euro 2025 qualifier.
France vs England match preview
Reigning European Champions England are now in serious danger of not automatically qualifying for next summer’s European Championships in Switzerland, making a result in Saint-Étienne of paramount importance.
On Friday night, they welcome France to St James’ Park, for the first of this week’s pivotal double-header.
When the Lionesses broke the deadlock on the half hour mark, Beth Mead firing past Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, they appeared on course to claim a vital victory on Tyneside.
Well, les Bleues had other ideas, equalising soon after, defender Élisa De Almeida scoring one of the most spectacular volleys you’re ever likely to see, before Marie-Antoinette Katoto snatched victory for the visitors mid-way through the second half.
This was England’s first competitive defeat on home soil since June 2005, and leaves them in a precarious position in the group.
That’s because, back in April, Sarina Wiegman’s team were held to an underwhelming 1-1 draw by Sweden at Wembley, before battling to a 2-0 victory in Dublin.
Nevertheless, with only the top two qualifying automatically, defeat here would leave England at the point of no return, needing to beat both Republic of Ireland at Carrow Road and then Sweden in Göteborg in July to salvage a top two finish.
Should they fall short, the holders would have to go through the play-offs, needing to win a pair of two-legged play-offs later this year and, while they’d be heavy favourites in both, that’s a scenario they’d prefer to avoid.
In complete contrast, France currently have maximum points, having enjoyed a pair of 1-0 wins to commence their campaign, beating Ireland in Metz and then Sweden at Gamla Ullevi, with Wendie Renard the late match-winner in the latter.
So, victory here for Hervé Renard’s team would see them qualify with two games to spare.
Les Bleues are also currently preparing for this summer’s Olympic Games, under enormous pressure to win a first-ever medal, given that they are hosts, looking strong ahead of group stage clashes with Colombia, Canada and New Zealand next month, amongst the front-runners to claim gold.
In this qualifier at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, France are favourites to beat England for the second time in four days.
France vs England Tips
Considering France are unbeaten at home under Hervé Renard, winning four of five matches, including claiming Nations League victories over Portugal, Austria and Germany, we’re forecasting a home win in Saint-Étienne.
Les Bleues have been so impressive since Renard’s appointment, their only competitive defeats coming on penalties against Australia in the World Cup quarter-finals, followed by a 2-0 loss to world champions Spain at La Cartuja in February’s inaugural Nations League Final.
In contrast, Friday’s defeat was a fourth loss in ten competitive outings for England, beaten on the road in both the Netherlands and Belgium last autumn, with their form on the road a massive concern for Sarina Wiegman.
Thus, simply because they literally won when the same two teams met 96 hours ago, we’re backing France at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
Having scored the winner in Newcastle on Friday night, we’re forecasting that Marie-Antoinette Katoto will be on target here too.
This goal was Katoto’s 29th for her country, having also found the net when Republic of Ireland visited Stade Saint-Symphorien earlier in this campaign, the only scorer that evening.
So, having also scored 20 times for Paris Saint-Germain Féminine this season, seven of which came in the Champions League, we’re backing Katoto to continue her red-hot form in front of goal.
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