England vs Sweden predicted line-up: Team news ahead of Euro 2022 semi-finals
Winners of the first ever Women’s European Championship in 1984, Sweden, take on two-time runners-up England in a mouth-watering Euro 2022 semi-final at Bramall Lane on Tuesday night (kick-off 8pm BST).
England swept through the group stages and scored a record 14 goals without reply against Austria, Norway and Northern Ireland but came perilously close to exiting their home tournament in the quarter-finals when they trailed Spain 1-0 with six minutes remaining before Ella Toone’s dramatic equalizer and Georgia Stanway’s stunning goal secured a 2-1 win after extra time.
Sweden’s fans have lit up the tournament with a sea of yellow taking over Sheffield and Leigh for their games so far, although the team has been a bit up-and-down as a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands and scrappy wins over Switzerland and Belgium offset by Portugal with 5-0. And defender Sembrant believes the supporters will prove vital once again against the hosts.
She said: “It’s going to be really, really big [against] England, with a large audience and with our Swedish fans who were absolutely fantastic. It will be very cool.”
Here’s everything you need to know:
When is England vs Sweden?
The match starts at 20:00 GMT on Tuesday 26 July. It will be played at Bramall Lane in Sheffield.
How can I see it?
It will be shown live on BBC One, with coverage from 7.25pm. It will also be shown live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
What’s the team news?
England have named an unchanged line-up for every Euro 2022 match so far and, with no injury concerns, Sarina Wiegman has the opportunity to do so again. Alessia Russo and Ella Toone have repeatedly impressed from the bench and could theoretically start ahead of Ellen White and Fran Kirby respectively, while left-back Rachel Daly had a torrid time against Spain meaning Alex Greenwood could start ahead of her, but Wiegman is most likely to sticking with the XI that has gotten her this far – and allowing the substitutes to continue to influence games from the bench.
Sweden’s issues mainly revolve around Covid-19, with Hanna Glas, Emma Kullberg and Jonna Andersson all missing the quarter-final win over Belgium after testing positive. Assuming the trio are available, Glas and Andersson are likely to start as the two full-backs but the rest of the squad should be unchanged, including a front three of Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Fridolina Rolfo and Stina Blackstenius, although Rolfo will struggle to influence proceedings against the Red Flames .
Predicted lineups
England XI: Ears; Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Daly; Walsh, Stanway; Kirby; Hemp, white, mead
Sweden XI: Lindahl; Glas, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Andersson; Angeldahl, Asllani, Björn; Riding Kaneryd, Rolfo, Blackstenius
Odds
England: 5/6
Draw: 12/5
Sweden: 7/2
Prediction
England’s record in semi-finals at major tournaments is tough, but in Wiegman they have the ultimate tournament leader and this is a side brimming with confidence and self-belief. The Lionesses are a better team than Sweden and should be able to get the job done. England 3-1 Sweden