List of All Articles with Tag 'football'

Pep Guardiola believes the Premier League is better for the arrival of Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham. Postecoglou has made a positive impact since taking charge at Spurs in the summer, with the Londoners having gone unbeaten through their first 10 games while playing in a dynamic style. Guardiola’s treble-winning Manchester City are the next side to come up against the Australian’s troops as they host Spurs on Sunday. The City manager said: “He came here and, from nothing, in few months you recognise perfectly his team. “Even the games that they didn’t win lately, I’ve been impressed how good many, many things they do are, how many chances they create and how aggressive (they are) in all departments. “Every team plays with the desire of the manager. His have done in the past, in Japan, of course in Glasgow with Celtic and now. I think he makes football a better place. “As a manager and a spectator I enjoy a lot watching them play with the approach they have. I think all the Spurs fans and the people in England can admit that his impact has been quick and really good.” Spurs have gone slightly off the boil since their blistering start, losing their last three Premier League games. Guardiola, however, does not expect Postecoglou’s approach to change and is preparing for a tough encounter. The Spaniard, whose side are a point behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, said: “Absolutely not (will they change). This is not going to happen. I’d be surprised. “It is a more difficult competition to win now, every season it is getting better. There are more teams involved and every single game is so difficult. “Since I arrived, when (Mauricio) Pochettino was in Tottenham always, Spurs have been there. They’re a fantastic team. “Of course they have important absences but I saw the first 15, 20 minutes against Aston Villa and they created an amount of chances. It’s really good for football, definitely. “I encourage our fans to come to the stadium because we will have fun.” Guardiola and Postecoglou have crossed paths just once before, when City faced the Australian’s former side Yokohama F Marinos in a pre-season friendly in the Japanese city in 2019. He took care of me really well. He didn't offer me a glass of wine, but it was fine! Pep Guardiola Guardiola said: “When we played in Japan I saw some clips before we started. I said, ‘wow, there are things that I like’. “I said to the players we’re going to face a good team with challenges, intense build-up, intense and high pressing. “It was the first time I met him and since then I’ve followed him and seen how good he has done in Glasgow with Celtic, winning trebles and winning a lot of games and now look, in a short time he is there.” Guardiola said he enjoyed meeting with Postecoglou, even if one ritual was not adhered to in Japan. “He took care of me really well,” he said. “He didn’t offer me a glass of wine, but it was fine!” Read More Para thrower Funmi Oduwaiye ‘always knew I was destined for great things’ He’s doing well – Erik ten Hag sticks up for under-fire Andre Onana Cameron Norrie links up with coach Stephen Huss in bid to rediscover form Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp: Playing at Anfield is a ‘nightmare’ for opponents Top seeds England could face Scotland and Wales as teams await Euro 2024 draw Pakistan appoint Salman Butt to first official role since spot-fixing conviction

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has defended under-fire Andre Onana and insisted the Cameroon international is among the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. Onana has repeatedly been in the spotlight since United spent £47million on the 27-year-old this summer to replace David De Gea, and although it had been felt his form was improving in recent weeks, Wednesday’s 3-3 draw against Galatasaray was a clear setback as he was at fault for two goals. Onana also made a mistake for a goal in United’s Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich, but while he has struggled in Europe, Ten Hag pointed to the statistics that say Onana is second in saves made, save percentage and goals prevented in the Premier League. “If you analyse it well then you see he is the second best goalkeeper in the Premier League based on stats, so his expected defending goals is the second best in the Premier League,” Ten Hag said. “He’s doing well. Also he knows that in the Champions League he makes some mistakes but all over you see the first five months he is doing particularly well.” Onana will face another major test on Saturday evening when United travel to Newcastle, who are on a five-game winning streak at St James’ Park. But Ten Hag does not expect Onana to suffer any hangover from Wednesday night. “You have seen how he is reacting on a bad performance like in Munich,” Ten Hag said. “At Burnley (three days later) he was outstanding. He is a strong character, he is a personality and he will deal with it.” United said on Friday that left-back Tyrell Malacia, yet to feature this season after knee surgery, is on course to return early next year after requiring a second operation. Mason Mount was also back in training on Friday but there is no timeframe yet for the midfielder’s return. Mount’s absence has helped open the door for 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, who excelled in last weekend’s 3-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park and was impressive again in Istanbul. “He showed on Sunday (at Everton) he was ready,” Ten Hag said. “It looks like he always has time. He's doing well. Also he knows that in the Champions League he makes some mistakes but all over you see the first five months he is doing particularly well Erik ten Hag on Andre Onana “He is scanning, he is running free, he is scanning to see the options and make the right decisions. He can delay, can speed up, he makes the right decisions.” Saturday’s trip to the north east is a third straight away game for United, and another intimidating atmosphere after they faced an angry Goodison Park and the bear pit that is Galatasaray’s Rams Park. “I really respect them,” Ten Hag said of Newcastle. “It’s a difficult team to play but it’s a good challenge and I like to play against it. “We have to rise to the occasion, be our best against them because the way they play is very organised.” United go into the game on the back of five wins in their last six Premier League games, having put a rocky run of domestic form behind them to close in on the top four. It stands in contrast to their European form, but Ten Hag believes performances have been good across the board. “On Wednesday, we played very good, also in Copenhagen,” he said. “Even in Bayern Munich we played very good. But we have to do some things better. “Eliminate individual errors, defensive transition, but we can sort this out and I would be more concerned if we didn’t play well.” Read More Cameron Norrie links up with coach Stephen Huss in bid to rediscover form Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp: Playing at Anfield is a ‘nightmare’ for opponents Top seeds England could face Scotland and Wales as teams await Euro 2024 draw Pakistan appoint Salman Butt to first official role since spot-fixing conviction Newcastle boss Eddie Howe believes more VAR ‘would ruin the game’ Min Woo Lee continues fine form in hunt for home double

Everton have appealed against the club’s 10-point deduction in the Premier League. An independent commission imposed a 10-point deduction on Everton with immediate effect after breaching the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules. The club were sanctioned on November 17 for a breach of the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules and have 14 days to lodge an appeal. The club confirmed they were “shocked and disappointed” by the ruling, which left them in the relegation zone, having previously sat 14th in the table and eight points above the bottom three. A statement from the club read: “Everton Football Club has today lodged with the Chair of the Premier League’s Judicial Panel its appeal of the decision by a Premier League Commission to impose a 10-point deduction on the Club. An Appeal Board will now be appointed to hear the case.” The decision has been criticised by many, including mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, who hit out at the Premier League by claims that it is guilty of “regulatory malpractice” and “abuse of process”. The league responded by insisting that it “entirely refuted his allegations.” Burnham, an Everton season-ticket holder, wrote an open letter to Premier League chair Alison Brittain in which he said there had not been a fair process when enforcing the deduction. Everton were deemed to have breached Profit and Sustainability Rules by an independent commission, which determined they had losses of £124.5m over three years – £19.5m over the permitted threshold. But Burnham, a former Secretary of State for Health, was critical of the Premier League for adopting a sanctions policy in August, after Everton had been charged and before their case was heard. “The fact that the Premier League sought to introduce a new sanctions policy in the middle of this process amounts, in my view, to an abuse of process,” he wrote.

England, Scotland and Wales could be paired together in Saturday’s Euro 2024 finals draw. The Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg will host the draw ceremony, which gets under way at 5pm UK time. Gareth Southgate’s England, runners-up at Euro 2020, will be one of the favourites to win the tournament, with in-form Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham set to be the shining light in a strong line-up. Their performances in qualifying, where they topped Group C ahead of reigning European champions Italy, have earned them a place among the top seeds for the draw in what could be Southgate’s final bow as England boss. His contract will be up next December and his future beyond that is uncertain. Scotland are in Pot Three, while Wales are one of the 12 play-off hopefuls occupying three spots in Pot Four. Rob Page’s side still have two big hurdles to overcome in order to join England and Scotland at the finals. They must first beat Finland on March 21 then also see off Poland or Estonia on March 26 to book their passage to Germany. Page said at the time of the play-off draw on November 23: “The form we’re in at the minute and with the ‘Red Wall’ at home, we’ll take anyone on in Cardiff. “It’s a great opportunity for us: we’re two wins at home away from another qualification to a major tournament. We’re hoping now for two big efforts.” The placing of England, Scotland and Wales in different pots keeps open the possibility of them all being drawn together. England faced Scotland in the group stage of Euro 2020 and Wales at the same stage at last year’s World Cup in Qatar. England and Wales also met at the group stage in Euro 2016. From an England perspective, a ‘Group of Death’ would arguably include Denmark, the highest-ranked side in Pot Two, and the Netherlands or Croatia from Pot Three. A rematch with Italy would round out a tough-looking pool for Southgate’s men, with the Azzurri alongside Wales in Pot Four. Southgate, speaking after England’s final qualifier away to North Macedonia, said: “There looks like being really strong teams in Pot Two and Pot Three looks like it could be very strong. “In the Euros we had Croatia in with us, who proved to be one of the best teams in the world over the last few years, and we managed to navigate that, so we’ve just got to be ready for whatever comes our way.” Scotland were extremely impressive in qualification, finishing runners-up to Spain in Group A and booking their place in Germany with two matches to spare. “It’s always nice to qualify for a major tournament,” Clarke said after last month’s final qualifier at home to Norway. “Obviously the last one was Covid-restricted so we missed that connection and that feel with the fans. “It’s great for everyone in the country that we have something to look forward to next summer.” Pot One also contains last year’s World Cup finalists France, a Portugal team who won all 10 of their qualifying matches and a vulnerable-looking host nation Germany, who sacked their coach Hansi Flick in September following a 4-1 friendly defeat to Japan. Read More Pakistan appoint Salman Butt to first official role since spot-fixing conviction Newcastle boss Eddie Howe believes more VAR ‘would ruin the game’ Min Woo Lee continues fine form in hunt for home double On this day in 2021: Johanna Konta retires from tennis Unai Emery eager to top group after Aston Villa reach ECL knockout stages You’ve got to dream big: Lewis Dunk eyes Europa League glory with Brighton

The top Fantasy Premier League captaincy picks for FPL Gameweek 14, including Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah. Powered by Fantasy Football Hub.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has warned more VAR would “ruin” football after finding himself on the wrong end of a controversial decision. Football’s lawmakers are considering options to extend the system’s use at the same time as a debate over its effectiveness in its current form rages on. The Magpies were denied a Champions League victory at Paris St Germain on Tuesday after Polish referee Szymon Marciniak was asked to review a decision not to award a penalty for handball against Tino Livramento by VAR official Thomas Kwiatkowski and changed his mind to allow Kylian Mbappe to level in stoppage time. Asked if he would like to see more or less VAR, Howe said: “I’d like to see less VAR. “I don’t have an issue with offsides because that is as close as it can be to being right, whether you agree with the decision, the lines give you a black and white yes or no. The rest, I’m not in favour. “I still think it’s just another person’s opinion against another person’s opinion. It’s very subjective. I’d like to see less. I definitely wouldn’t want to see more because I think it would ruin the game.” Kwiatkowski had been due to oversee Wednesday night’s Real Sociedad versus Red Bull Salzburg game in the same competition, but was stood down, a decision which brought Howe, who revealed the club have contacted UEFA to seek clarity over the penalty award, little comfort. He said: “That for me, with VAR is an issue – not enough power is given to the on-field decision, which in this case was correct. “I still believe – I’m old-fashioned in this – that the on-field decision should be given a little bit more strength because the referee is there, he’s feeling the game, he’s managing the game in the middle and I think that is worth something.” I definitely wouldn't want to see more because I think it would ruin the game Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe Howe’s comments came as he prepared his players for Saturday evening’s Premier League clash with Manchester United at St James’ Park still contemplating a lengthy injury list, but with no new additions after an attritional night at the Parc des Princes and with hopes high that midfielders Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff will be sidelined for weeks rather than months. Newcastle have lost just one of their last five encounters in all competitions with the Red Devils, who also suffered Champions League disappointment 24 hours later when they squandered a 3-1 lead at Galatasaray to draw 3-3, although Erik ten Hag’s side have won five of their last six league games. Asked if he and his players could use their burning sense of injustice from Paris as added motivation, Howe said: “I always want that sense that we are against everybody outside of Newcastle when we play. I think that helps us. “That is a good mentality to have, that we are competing against everybody else. It’s certainly served us well to this point and if it helps any individual players, then great.” Read More Min Woo Lee continues fine form in hunt for home double On this day in 2021: Johanna Konta retires from tennis Unai Emery eager to top group after Aston Villa reach ECL knockout stages You’ve got to dream big: Lewis Dunk eyes Europa League glory with Brighton David Moyes urges West Ham to finish the job and top Group A Five bad weeks do not define a team – England’s Ben Duckett

The best Fantasy Premier League replacements for injury doubt Jarrod Bowen, including Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon. Powered by Fantasy Football Hub.

Jeff Stelling will return to screens in a new presenting role as host of Prime Video’s Every Game Every Goal show, the on-demand streaming service has announced. Stelling, who stood down as anchor of Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday show in May after almost 30 years in the role, has joined Prime Video’s broadcast team for 20 live and exclusive Premier League matches in December. Former Football Focus and BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker, 45, will also host some of Prime Video’s new shows, which will exclusively cover two rounds of Premier League fixtures. Prime Video said Every Game Every Goal on December 6 will show “all the goals and key moments from every game as soon as they go in across all six of the evening’s fixtures, including Sheffield United v Liverpool, Aston Villa v Manchester City and Manchester United v Chelsea. “In addition, Dan Walker will make his presenting debut on live Premier League football for the very first time across a number of Prime Video matches in December, including Wolves v Burnley, Spurs v West Ham and Burnley v Liverpool.” Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer and Patrice Evra will return to Prime Video’s coverage as pundits alongside Michael Owen, Eni Aluko, Roberto Martinez, Jermain Defoe and Stuart Pearce. The show’s presenting and commentary team will also see the return of Gabby Logan, Ally McCoist, Jon Champion, Clive Tyldesley, Robyn Cowen, Jim Rosenthal and Guy Mowbray, Prime Video said. Stelling will be supported by the likes of Dion Dublin, Tim Sherwood, Siobhan Chamberlain and Nedum Onuoha on analysis duties. PA Read More Jamie Carragher claims Andre Onana’s Manchester United performance ‘unacceptable’ Man City must tighten up – or Champions League history may repeat itself Cristiano Ronaldo faces $1bn lawsuit for promoting NFTs

Arsenal sit at the top of the Premier League, but with Liverpool and Manchester City hot on their heels, trying to decide on a Fantasy Premier League captain has become a more complicated task than simply giving it to Erling Haaland every week. With multiple teams contending with seemingly ever-increasing injury lists, the pool of available players has also taken a hit, and if available, a wildcard could come into contention. Here are five players we think could impress in gameweek 14, and perhaps even into the festive period, with managers needing to decide how big their injury lists can be, and perhaps hold a couple of transfers over before the matches start coming thick and fast. Bukayo Saka, Arsenal (8.7) The Arsenal man has four assists in the last five gameweeks, and remains the Gunners’ first-choice penalty taker. When it comes to assured points, Saka is also a safe bet having played 90 minutes in three of the last five games. The next few weeks starts with a seemingly easy home match against Wolves before trophy to Luton and Aston Villa come up, which could be slightly more problematic, but neither suggest Arteta might consider rotating his side, especially after Liverpool were held to a draw at Kenilworth Road before the international break. Pedro Porro, Tottenham (5.3) Porro is an attacking, relatively cheap defender who has the added bonus of being on all set pieces in the absence of James Maddison. However, it might be a solid rotation option, with Spurs due to travel to Manchester City on Sunday, but then there are matches at home to West Ham and Newcastle, before a trip to Nottingham Forest is followed by the visit of Everton. Bryan Mbeumo, Brentford (7.0) He has consistently been a part of Brentford’s team and is likely to get at least two points, when taking into account Brentford’s upcoming fixtures of Luton, an injury-hit Brighton and Sheffield United, he looks certain to have an impact. It is time to look past the fact that his last club goal came in October against Brentford, and embrace that he has six club goals already this season, and with the fixtures coming up, is likely to add to that tally. Antony Gordon, Newcastle United (5.9) Who could resist selecting Gordon, especially with a match against his former club Everton to come, although admittedly in between Manchester United at home and Tottenham away. But Eddie Howe’s team remain solid picks and at the very least, with their mounting injury concerns that threaten to leave them unable to fill the bench, Gordon will be involved. Kostas Tsimikas, Liverpool (4.7) With Andy Robertson injured, is it time to go for an unconventional Liverpool defender? The Scotland left-back could be out until the new year, giving the still relatively cheap Tsimikas a solid run of games, including the festive period. Taking the draw at Luton aside, and the difficulty of playing in Europe and the Premier League, Jurgen Klopp’s side are in for an easy run. Home to Fulham, a trip to Sheffield United and then another one to Palace are up next. Read More Gabriel Jesus responds to Arsenal rumours of signing new striker Arteta praises ‘really convincing’ Arsenal after Champions League rout Mikel Arteta hails Aaron Ramsdale despite errors in Arsenal’s win over Brentford Declan Rice urges England to finish 2023 with a ‘bang’ in North Macedonia Talking points ahead of England’s clash with North Macedonia I always want more for myself – Phil Foden targets England goals and assists

England must beat the Netherlands at Wembley to keep their hopes of topping their Women’s Nations League group and qualifying for next summer’s Olympics alive. The Lionesses suffered a shock defeat to Belgium last month, having also been beaten by the Dutch in September, and sit third in Group A1 after four games. It means Sarina Wiegman’s side face must-win games against the Netherlands tonight and Scotland at Hampden on Tuesday - but they also need results to go their way. England are three points behind the Netherlands and one point behind Belgium with two games remaining and the Lionesses must reach the Nations League final to secure Great Britain a place at next summer’s Games. Here’s everything you need to know and here are the England vs Netherlands latest odds. When is England vs Netherlands? The Nations League fixture kicks off at 7:45pm on Friday 1 December at Wembley Stadium. How can I watch it and what TV channel is it on? The fixture will be shown live on ITV 4, with coverage kicking off from 7pm. It will also be available to stream live on the ITV X website. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. What is the team news? England are without captain Millie Bright after the Chelsea defender withdrew from the squad due to a knee injury. The centre-back was replaced by Manchester United’s Millie Turner and goalkeeper Mary Earps will captain the Lionesses in her absence. Beth Mead is back in the England squad for the first time in over a year after returning from an ACL injury. The Euros golden boot winner adds to Sarina Wiegman’s options in the forward line, with Lauren James, Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly all in form. Vivianne Miedema is also set to return for the Netherlands after her own injury absence and could join Lieke Martens and Jill Roord in attack, but Andries Jonker is likely to stick with Juventus forward Lineth Beerensteyn. Predicted line-ups England: Earps; Bronze, Carter, Greenwood, Charles; Walsh, Stanway; Hemp, James, Kelly; Daly Netherlands: Van Domselaar; Dijkstra, Spitse, Janssen; Pelova, Groenen, Van de Donk, Brugts; Roord; Beerensteyn, Martens How can England finish top of Group A1? The Lionesses must win against the Netherlands. Any other result and they are out of the running to top the group. If England win, they will likely have to beat Scotland at Hampden next Tuesday: a draw at Hampden would only be enough if Belgium lose to Scotland and then draw against the Netherlands, and even then England would need to beat the Netherlands by two goals to take the head-to-head record. If England win both games, they will have 12 points and would need Belgium to drop points either against Scotland or against the Netherlands. If England win both games but Belgium win both games, they cannot top the group. If England win both games and the Netherlands beat Belgium, they will go through only if they win by two goals or better the Dutch’s 2-1 win from the return fixture. The Lionesses must do this to take the head-to-head record. If both England and the Netherlands both finish on 12 points and with identical head-to-head records (ie both games are 2-1 home wins), then it will come down to overall goal difference in Group A1. Coming into the final two rounds, England have a goal difference of 0 while the Netherlands have +5. What would the Lionesses then need to do to qualify for the Olympics? England must reach the Nations League final to be sure of their place at the Olympics next summer, as the nominated side for Team GB. Both Nations League finalists will qualify for the Paris Games - unless one of those teams is France, who qualify automatically. If France reach the Nations final, the automatic qualification spot will go to the winner of the third place playoff in the Nations League finals. France, Denmark and Spain are top of Groups A2, A3 and A4 ahead of the final two rounds of fixtures. How do the Lionesses avoid relegation, or a relegation play-off? Scotland will be relegated automatically if they fail to win both games. England will be forced to go through a relegation play-off if they finish 3rd in the group and fail to overtake either the Netherlands or Belgium. Read More What do the Lionesses need to do for Team GB to qualify for the Olympics? The Lionesses are back in ‘must-win’ mode: Here’s why it can suit them Sarina Wiegman dismisses concerns over inexperienced England defence Keira Walsh ‘feeling fresh’ before latest round of Women’s Nations League games Beth Mead: ‘The things I’ve dealt with have made me a stronger person’ England captain Millie Bright to miss must-win Nations League double-header

England manager Sarina Wiegman says the Lionesses “know what we have to do” as they face the Netherlands in a must-win Nations League clash at Wembley. The Lionesses are third in Group A1 after four games, having been beaten 2-1 in September by the Dutch and 3-2 last month by Belgium, who they trail by three and one point respectively. Failure to beat the Netherlands in their penultimate group fixture will end their hopes of the first-placed finish they require to have a chance of securing a Paris 2024 Olympics qualifying spot for Great Britain. "We’re very clear on how we want to play and what we want to do,” Wiegman said. “I see good things on and off pitch, and that gives me confidence that we’re really ready for tomorrow, and of course we all know what we have to do." But England’s fate is not in their hands, however, and things could get complicated as they look to top their Nations League group. Here’s everything you need to know and here are the England vs Netherlands latest odds. How can England finish top of Group A1? The Lionesses must win against the Netherlands. Any other result and they are out of the running to top the group. If England win, they will likely have to beat Scotland at Hampden next Tuesday: a draw at Hampden would only be enough if Belgium lose to Scotland and then draw against the Netherlands, and even then England would need to beat the Netherlands by two goals to take the head-to-head record. If England win both games, they will have 12 points and would need Belgium to drop points either against Scotland or against the Netherlands. If England win both games but Belgium win both games, they cannot top the group. If England win both games and the Netherlands beat Belgium, they will go through only if they win by two goals or better the Dutch’s 2-1 win from the return fixture. The Lionesses must do this to take the head-to-head record. If both England and the Netherlands both finish on 12 points and with identical head-to-head records (ie both games are 2-1 home wins), then it will come down to overall goal difference in Group A1. Coming into the final two rounds, England have a goal difference of 0 while the Netherlands have +5. What would the Lionesses then need to do to qualify for the Olympics? England must reach the Nations League final to be sure of their place at the Olympics next summer, as the nominated side for Team GB. Both Nations League finalists will qualify for the Paris Games - unless one of those teams is France, who qualify automatically. If France reach the Nations final, the automatic qualification spot will go to the winner of the third place playoff in the Nations League finals. France, Denmark and Spain are top of Groups A2, A3 and A4 ahead of the final two rounds of fixtures. How do the Lionesses avoid relegation, or a relegation play-off? Scotland will be relegated automatically if they fail to win both games. England will be forced to go through a relegation play-off if they finish 3rd in the group and fail to overtake either the Netherlands or Belgium. When is England vs Netherlands? The Nations League fixture kicks off at 7:45pm on Friday 1 December at Wembley Stadium. How can I watch it and what TV channel is it on? The fixture will be shown live on ITV 4, with coverage kicking off from 7pm. It will also be available to stream live on the ITV X website. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. What is the team news? England are without captain Millie Bright after the Chelsea defender withdrew from the squad due to a knee injury. The centre-back was replaced by Manchester United’s Millie Turner and goalkeeper Mary Earps will captain the Lionesses in her absence. Beth Mead is back in the England squad for the first time in over a year after returning from an ACL injury. The Euros golden boot winner adds to Sarina Wiegman’s options in the forward line, with Lauren James, Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly all in form. Vivianne Miedema is also set to return for the Netherlands after her own injury absence and could join Lieke Martens and Jill Roord in attack, but Andries Jonker is likely to stick with Juventus forward Lineth Beerensteyn. Predicted line-ups England: Earps; Bronze, Carter, Greenwood, Charles; Walsh, Stanway; Hemp, James, Kelly; Daly Netherlands: Van Domselaar; Dijkstra, Spitse, Janssen; Pelova, Groenen, Van de Donk, Brugts; Roord; Beerensteyn, Martens Read More Is England vs Netherlands on TV? Channel, time and how to watch Lionesses The Lionesses are back in ‘must-win’ mode: Here’s why it can suit them Sarina Wiegman dismisses concerns over inexperienced England defence Keira Walsh ‘feeling fresh’ before latest round of Women’s Nations League games Beth Mead: ‘The things I’ve dealt with have made me a stronger person’ England captain Millie Bright to miss must-win Nations League double-header

The cup specialists have so far struggled with the new league. After winning the Euros and reaching the World Cup final, the Lionesses face the prospect of a rare failure in the inaugural Women’s Nations League. England must beat Netherlands at Wembley on Friday and then Scotland at Hampden on Tuesday to have any chance of topping their group. But given Sarina Wiegman also won the Euros and reached the World Cup final with her native Netherlands, allowing the Dutchwoman to claim the title of the ultimate tournament manager, perhaps the return to must-win, knockout football will suit the Lionesses ahead of a decisive week. Qualification for the Olympics is on the line, after all. But that has also been the case throughout England’s Nations League campaign and after hitting great heights in each of the last two summers, Wiegman’s side have suffered their first real dip in form. Now they must shake off their World Cup hangover, after they were beaten by the Netherlands in September and following last month’s damaging defeat in Belgium. Wiegman’s side have been unusually flat and their performances have featured too many errors: now hit by further injuries to the defence and without captain Millie Bright, England’s backs are against the wall. Though there is also an argument that such a mindset can benefit them, making their task clearer. It was at the World Cup where the Lionesses used their resilience in overcoming injuries and unforeseen hurdles, to adapt their plans and reach the final. They face a similar situation now with elimination from the Olympics qualification process on the line – even if they also require Belgium to drop points against either Scotland or the Netherlands. “I think it suits us; we’ve got the character to do that,” said midfielder Keira Walsh. “I think the team is ready,” Wiegman said. “We’re very clear on how we want to play and what we want to do.” There remains a question over the centre of defence, however. Bright has started England’s last 11 games since the start of the World Cup but has been ruled out of the matches against the Netherlands and Scotland because of a recurrence of the knee injury that threatened her place in Wiegman’s World Cup squad before the summer. In her absence, Alex Greenwood and Jess Carter will form a new centre-back pair. But behind those two in the pecking order, there is a lack of experience: Lotte Wubben-Moy, Esme Morgan and Maya Le Tissier have 12 caps between them. Millie Turner, called up to replace Bright, has yet to play for her country. Even with Bright in the side, England’s defensive record since the World Cup has been poor and what was a strength in Australia can no longer be relied upon in the same way. The Lionesses conceded twice in Utrecht, three times in Louven. England still continued to control the ball and create chances but they failed to take them – and paid the price. “I think it was maybe just a slight lack of concentration at times,” Walsh said. “I think it happens and most of the time you don’t get punished. I think it was just one of those games where we did. But let’s not catastrophise it.” There were still positives to be taken, Walsh continued, and to add to that there is now the welcome return of Beth Mead. The Euros Golden Boot winner and player of the tournament is back with the Lionesses for the first time in over a year, after returning from her ACL injury. Mead feels she is sharp after scoring twice for Arsenal at the weekend, playing with freedom after withstanding the hardest year of her life. Wiegman, who was patient in bringing the forward back, says she is training like she “hasn’t been away”. Her return adds to England’s remarkable depth in the forward positions, and the international window arrives with those options hitting form in the Women’s Nations League as well. On Sunday, Mead hit her first goals since her injury return; Lauren James has five in her last two WSL starts for Chelsea; Rachel Daly has scored in two games in a row for Aston Villa; as has Lauren Hemp with Manchester City. Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly are competing for places among the forward line as well. “This time of the season, everybody has already played a lot of games and they feel more settled within their environments,” Walsh said earlier this week. “I think you can see that with our forward players creating and scoring. Training today was the first session that everyone was on the grass and it was really competitive. It was a really good intensity. So for me, playing behind those players is really exciting.” Mead offers something fresh as well, to add to the true No 9s of Russo and Daly, the touchline-hugging wingers of Hemp and Kelly, and the all-round, dynamic threat of James. “She’s a little bit different to the rest,” Walsh said. “She has much more of a striker’s mindset in terms of the way she wants to finish and get on the end of things. I think Hempo [Lauren Hemp] and Chloe [Kelly] are very direct. They like the balls to go one v one, whereas I think Beth comes inside a little bit more, I think it’s good to have such a variety.” Under Wiegman, the Lionesses haven’t got much wrong, but now Walsh says England “want to put things right”. It starts at Wembley. Read More Is England vs Netherlands on TV? Channel, time and how to watch Lionesses What do the Lionesses need to do for Team GB to qualify for the Olympics? Sarina Wiegman dismisses concerns over inexperienced England defence