France vs England tips and predictions: Lionesses kick off Euro 2025 against fierce rivals

France state of play

France have played 26 and won 11 matches at previous tournaments - both figures are the most out of nations that have never reached the final. 

Boss Laurent Bonadei made some big calls ahead of Euro 2025 as he looks to bag the coveted trophy. 

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The 55-year-old left long-time captain Wendie Renard, and all-time leading goalscorer Eugenie le Sommer, at home. “These are tough choices,” Bonadei explained last month. “They are difficult to make and difficult to announce to the players. 

It’s a decision that’s hard to hear, hard to understand and almost impossible for them to accept because they’re legendary players for the French team." Bonadei will be buoyed by the form of Clara Mateo. 

She has been directly involved in 25 goals in 20 league games in 2024-25 for Paris FC (18 goals, seven assists), the most of any player in the French top tier. 

Marie-Antoinette Katoto, meanwhile, will be gunning for glory after sustaining a serious knee injury at the Euros four years ago. 

England state of play 

England said goodbye to home supporters at the King Power Stadium on Sunday with a 7-0 battering of Jamaica. 

Boss Sarina Wiegman now has to decide whether Lauren James is fit enough to start at Letzigrund as she recovers from a hamstring injury. And, if the France showdown, which is part of our weekend four-fold of fancies, has come too soon, who plays the number 10 role instead. 

Manchester United's Ella Toone was given the nod in Leicester and staked her claim for a starting spot against France. 

She found the net within 10 minutes after some slick passing in England's midfield and doubled her tally before the break. 

England's build up to the tournament was far from ideal. Wiegman lost three experienced stars. Goalkeeper Mary Earps and playmaker Fran Kirby retired, although only the former would have been Switzerland bound. 

Millie Bright, meanwhile, withdrew saying she wasn’t mentally or physically firing on all cylinders. 

Wiegman has Manchester City forward Lauren Hemp available for selection though. She has returned from a knee injury and looked lively in recent appearances - despite not recording a full 90 minutes yet.

Key talking point: Will Hannah Hampton step up? 

The Chelsea goalkeeper is England's undisputed number one for the tournament following Earps' retirement. 

The Blues shot stopper has won just 16 senior caps compared to Earps' 53. However, she started 10 of England's 16 games between the start of 2024 and Earps hanging up her gloves at international level. 

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On paper, the data suggests Wiegman is in safe hands. In competitive fixtures across the period since the end of the 2023 World Cup Hampton has a better save rate (67.9% to Earps' 63%) and has notched more clean sheets (five to two). 

The 24-year-old was also the joint-winner of the 2024-25 Women's Super League Golden Glove award. 

Speaking earlier this week, Earps slammed the criticism she received for calling it quits. “I think that I was villainized in a way,” she said. “That probably was a bit hard to see things and read things, but it’s more what my friends and family see.”

FIRST’s top tip for France vs England

Alessia Russo first goalscorer at 13/2 (Betway)

Alessia Russo is certain to start as England's main striker and the Arsenal star's stats are solid. She bagged 20 goals in 41 games for the Gunners last term and was top scorer in their run to securing the Champions League. 

Russo, who’s a front-runner for the Golden Boot this summer, is also pretty prolific at international level with 23 goals to her name. This summer is a huge chance for Russo to stamp her authority on the biggest stage. France should be wary. 

Extra tips

Marie-Antoinette Katoto anytime goalscorer at 23/10 (Betway)

Katoto is ready to shine at this level after her Euro 2022 campaign ended in heartbreak. She ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament in the group stage and then subsequently failed to recover in time for the World Cup. 

Last year’s Olympics was her first major tournament. She finished as the Golden Boot winner despite France’s quarter-final exit. Katoto has 38 goals in 55 appearances for France. 

Lauren Hemp assist at 19/5 (BetMGM)

Lauren Hemp has recovered from injury just in time for Euro 2025 and the Manchester City forward is a solid shout for an assist against France. 

Hemp, 24, managed just 10 games for City last term. However, she still managed a staggering eight assists and created 4.32 chances per 90 minutes.  

Team news

The Lionesses have no serious injury issues. Nevertheless, James' game time will be managed carefully. The 23-year-old is still returning to full fitness following a hamstring problem that occurred in April. 

"We're still building her," Wiegman said after the friendly against Jamaica. "She's worked so hard to be here where she is now. At Chelsea first, but then the last two weeks in training camps, she could do every single training session and did very well."

France chief Bonadei has a fully fit squad to choose from. 

France vs England predicted line-ups

France: Peyraud-Magnin; Bacha, Lakrar, Mbock Bathy, De Almeida; Karchaoui, Toletti, Geyoro; Baltimore, Katoto, Diani (4-3-3)

England: Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Greenwood, Carter; Stanway, Walsh; Mead, Toone, Hemp; Russo (4-2-3-1)

Form guide (all competitions)

France: WLWWWWWWWW

England: WDWDWWLWLW

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Odds correct at the time of writing.