Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

England WomenEngland Womenvs.Belgium WomenBelgium Women

sportsmole.co.uk, 20 February 2023, 23:23
England Women and Belgium Women will go head-to-head at Ashton Gate on Wednesday for the chance to win the Arnold Clark Cup.

A draw would be enough for the defending champions England, who sit top of the standings on goal difference, while only a win will do for Belgium.

Match preview

England Women continue to be an invincible force under Sarina Wiegman after winning their first two Arnold Clark Cup matches.

South Korea were comfortably dispatched by a 4-0 scoreline in their opening game, before the Lionesses claimed a narrow 2-1 win over Italy on Sunday.

Although Wiegman made wholesale changes for the clash with Italy, two Rachel Daly headers secured the European champions all three points.

England are now unbeaten in all 28 games of Wiegman's reign, and as they gear up for the World Cup later this year, they will be keen to continue their remarkable form against Belgium.

The Lionesses won the inaugural Arnold Clark Cup last year, and while a draw would be enough to retain the silverware, they will be targeting a third consecutive victory.

Belgium, meanwhile, are the only country competing in the invitational tournament that failed to qualify for the World Cup, but they have managed to demonstrate the quality they possess in their opening two games.

The Belgian Red Flames began the Arnold Clark Cup with a dramatic 2-1 win over Italy, thanks to Tessa Wullaert's 90th-minute winner.

Wullaert was on the scoresheet once again on Sunday, scoring the equalising goal in first half stoppage time after Lee Geum-min had given South Korea the lead.

Hoffenheim's Tine de Caigny completed the turnaround with a 68th-minute winner, ensuring her country head into Wednesday's finale level on six points with England.

Belgium have now won their last three internationals, and due to their inferior goal difference, another victory will be required if they are to pull off a surprise victory and lift the Arnold Clark Cup.

England Women Arnold Clark Cup form:

W

W

England Women form (all competitions):

Belgium Women Arnold Clark Cup form:

W

W

Belgium Women form (all competitions):

Team News

After giving minutes to a number of fringe players on Sunday, Wiegman is expected to name a similar lineup to the one that started the 4-0 win over South Korea.

Despite scoring a brace against South Korea, Daly may have to settle for a spot on the bench, with Alessia Russo expected to lead the line.

After missing the opening game due to injury Kiera Walsh returned to the starting lineup for the narrow win against Italy, and the Barcelona midfielder could be the only player that retains her place for Wednesday's contest.

Belgium boss Ives Serneels could also make wholesale changes after rotating his squad for the 2-1 win over South Korea.

De Caigny came off the bench to score the winning goal on Sunday, and the 25-year-old is expected to be among those who will return to the starting lineup.

Wullaert, meanwhile, is set to retain her place in the side, and she will be looking to continue her impressive form after registering six goals in her last five international appearances.

England Women possible starting lineup:

Earps; Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Greenwood; Stanway, Walsh; James, Toone, Kelly; Russo

Belgium Women possible starting lineup:

Evrard; Cayman, Kees, De Neve, Meersman; De Caigny, Detruyer, Vanhaevermaet, Biesmans, Dhont; Wullaert

We say: England Women 4-0 Belgium Women

England recorded a 3-0 win over Belgium when the two sides met in a friendly last June, and we think the Lionesses will showcase their quality to claim another comfortable victory, which would ensure they retain the Arnold Clark Cup.

How to watch

You can watch England Women vs. Belgium Women and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.

Previews by email

Top News

23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Moreirense and Porto return to action in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal when they go head to head at the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas on Sunday. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have supposedly shortlisted Sporting Lisbon and Uruguay wide man Maxi Araujo as a possible signing for 2025 to address their issues on the left-hand side. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Looking for what would be a first league win since September, Sparta Rotterdam and AZ Alkmaar will do battle at the Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel on Sunday afternoon. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In-form sides NEC and FC Utrecht will be looking to keep their momentum going when they face off against each other at the Goffertstadion on Sunday afternoon. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fulham boss Marco Silva has revealed that Harrison Reed will have to undergo surgery to resolve a knee issue. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly identified RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba as a possible successor to William Saliba if the latter is lured to Real Madrid. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have supposedly earmarked Ipswich Town frontman Liam Delap as a possible transfer target for the summer of 2025. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool will not take risks by using players who are not necessarily at full fitness against Southampton such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reds expert David Lynch has claimed. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In a match that could affect both the relegation battle and the race for European football, Borussia Monchengladbach are set to welcome St Pauli to Borussia-Park on Sunday in their 11th Bundesliga game of the campaign. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Harry Kane continued his fine form this season to inspire Bayern Munich to victory on Friday night. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Holstein Kiel will hope to use their home crowd at Holstein-Stadion to spur them to victory against Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga on Sunday, as they continue their quest for survival. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Football fans will forever cherish the intense jubilation that comes with their team scoring a late winning goal. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides separated by one spot will go head-to-head in the Turkish Super Lig when Besiktas welcome Goztepe SK to Tupras Stadyumu on Sunday. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After seeing their seven-match unbeaten run in the Turkish Super Lig end, Samsunspor will hope to pick up the pieces when they welcome Alanyaspor to the Samsun 19 May Stadium on Sunday. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Trent Alexander-Arnold is a major doubt for Liverpool's visit to face Southampton this weekend. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Arsenal hope to have Bukayo Saka available when they face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this weekend. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bournemouth will have the opportunity to set a new club record when they take on Brighton & Hove Albion in Saturday's Premier League contest. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Steven Gerrard has hailed the performances of Liverpool's academy graduate Curtis Jones this season. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Reece James faces an uncertain future in football due to his ongoing injury problems. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea Women will look to maintain their 100% record in all competitions when they face Manchester United Women in Sunday's Women's Super League contest at Kingsmeadow. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will be looking to record their 12th La Liga victory of the 2023-24 campaign when they travel to Celta Vigo on Saturday night. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United will be bidding to make it 10 straight away league victories over promoted teams when they head to Portman Road on Sunday afternoon to tackle Ipswich Town. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has revealed that he will not make a final decision on his squad for Sunday's Premier League clash with Ipswich Town until after Saturday's training session. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has labelled Pep Guardiola the best manager in the world and "probably the best to have ever existed on Earth". 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two places separate Willem II and NAC Breda in the Eredivisie table heading into Sunday's gameweek 13 meeting at Koning Willem II Stadion. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Premier League football returns this weekend, with the final international break of 2024 now being completed. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Jack Grealish has revealed whether or not he would ever appear on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Pep Guardiola has insisted he will remain Manchester City manager even if the club are relegated over alleged breaches of financial rules. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming for a victory to start Patrick Vieira's tenure positively, Genoa seek maximum against a Cagliari side one place ahead of them in the Serie A table ahead of Sunday's gameweek 13 match at Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruben Amorim takes charge of his inaugural Manchester United match on Sunday afternoon, when his Red Devils side face Ipswich Town at Portman Road in the Premier League.