27 October 2023 , 06:00
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England's quest to reach the Olympic Games - albeit under the guise of Team GB - next sees them face Belgium in back-to-back UEFA Nations League fixtures
But after a chastening night in the Netherlands last month, the Lionesses are facing a struggle to win their group. The European Champions have to finish first to reach the inaugural tournament finals, where a top two finish will book qualification for Paris 2024.
Sarina Wiegman will expect a win against a Belgium side already put to the sword once this year, with England winning 6-1 in an Arnold Clark Cup clash back in February. But the Red Flames have improved since that night in Bristol and sit first League A Group 1, after a stunning victory over the Dutch in their opening game.
Failure to top the table after the double header would leave England in a tough position, with a home game against Netherlands and a tricky trip to Scotland still to come in December. Wiegman, therefore, has no room for error when it comes to team selection for the Belgium test.
The spine of the side for Friday's game almost picks itself with the Lionesses being able to once again call on Keira Walsh, who will partner Georgia Stanway in midfield. Walsh missed the last international break through injury, her absence particularly felt during that disappointing night against the Dutch.
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Undisputed No.1 Mary Earps will be in goal, while the back three of Alex Greenwood, Millie Bright and Jess Carter were colossal during the World Cup and should be reunited again, unless Wiegman decides to change the system.
An interesting call comes at left wing-back. Rachel Daly was deployed there last time out against Netherlands and for the majority of the World Cup. But Chloe Kelly did a fine job in the win over Scotland.
If either is required to push forward and be part of the attacking trio, Greenwood may need to revert to wing-back. That could then provide an opportunity for a rare start Lotte Wubben-Moy or even Maya Le Tissier in defence.
The real big call is how Wiegman shapes her attack. Fran Kirby is back in the squad following her lengthy lay-off with a knee injury. But the Chelsea star has yet to play a full 90 minutes this season, despite appearing in every WSL game. The Dutch boss knows what a difference Kirby can make but will be wary of pushing her too hard, too soon.
If Kirby is able to start, she should feature in the number ten role slotting in-behind two centre forwards. Alessia Russo will almost certainly forms part of this pair, but who partners her?
It could be Lauren Hemp, who played that role so effectively at the World Cup. Or possibly Kelly or Daly, depending on who is deployed at wing-back. Hemp had one of her quieter nights against the Dutch, but generally has played well for her country this year and should have enough credit in the bank to maintain her place in the team.
Will Lauren Hemp keep her starting place against Belgium?Elsewhere up front Lauren James may have struggled for a starting role in this formation, but that decision has now been taken out of Wiegman's hands.
James will miss both games due to a concussion picked up in training and will now return to her club Chelsea. The 22-year-old could still prove a major miss from the bench. With James out Wiegman will have to call upon the likes of Ella Toone, Jess Park or maybe even newcomer Grace Clinton if she wants to change the game with substitutes.
England should still have enough in the tank to get their Nations League campaign back on track on Friday night. But with both James and Mead absent, whoever is selected in attack has to deliver if they want to keep their place for the rest of the campaign.
Jack Lacey-Hatton's predicted England XI to face Belgium (3-4-1-2) ; Mary Earps, Jess Carter, Millie Bright, Alex Greenwood, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Fran Kirby, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo.
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