Thursday Football Tips: Ella to call the Toone for England

Paul Higham
16 June 2022
1 min read

Sarina Wiegman wants to see some goals from England Women

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Thursday's column looks at England's first Women's Euros build-up game with Belgium, where Ella Toone can continue her fine scoring form.

"Belgium have scored plenty of late and drew 3-3 in their last game against England, while Ella Toone has been in fine form scoring four in her last two internationals."
Back both teams to score in England v Belgium & Elle Toone anytime scorer at around 4.84/1

England v Belgium
Thursday 16 June, 20:00 kick-off
Live on ITV4

England kick-off their preparations for their Women's Euro 2022 campaign with a friendly against Belgium at Molineux on Thursday.

With home advantage and a new head coach in Sarina Wiegman, hopes are high that the Lionesses can emulate the men and make it all the way to the final at Wembley on July 31.

England start their tournament against Austria at Old Trafford on July 6, but before that they face Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland to put the finishing touches on their preparations.

They're huge favourites to turn over Belgium - who have also qualified for Euro 2022 and are no mugs. The Red Flames only conceded five goals in eight qualifiers and have suffered just one defeat in 12 in all competitions.

The hosts are obviously the stronger side, but much will depend on the teams sent out, and whether Wiegman will start with his strongest line-up right away before then making changes.

And that could open the door for Belgium, who drew 3-3 in their last meeting with England, also in a friendly, to at least grab a goal as they're more than capable.

The women's game internationally is still playing catch-up, especially in World Cup qualifying terms with England not conceding a goal and enjoying three 10-0 wins and even one 20-0 success!

Belgium too filled their boots against weaker opposition as they beat Armenia 19-0!

Admittedly the opposition has been weak but the confidence from scoring all those goals, plus what should be a raft of changes, gives Belgium a chance of finding he net - and with both teams to score priced up at 2.26/5 then that's a good sign.

Wiegman's biggest decisions on selection come in the forward ranks, with plenty of options coming through including Manchester United duo Alessia Russo, who scored an 11-minute hat-trick against Latvia in November, and Ella Toone - who has scored 10 goals in just 13 internationals.

Man City's Chloe Kelly is also back in the fold after injury and Wiegman may take a look at all three of these while also having 33-year-old veteran Ellen White to call upon.

White will certainly get a run-out when Wiegman plays her strongest outfit, and she'll likely lead the lead in the tournament opener, but others may get more action in the first game.

So, it's Toone who gets the nod, after scoring four goals in her last two games, when she played the full 90 minutes so is obviously high in Wiegman's thinking.

She's 2.56/4 to score anytime and gives us a handy Bet Builder double.