The Draw With Portugal And The Effect For World Cup Predictors

With the Women’s World Cup just a couple of weeks away, all eyes were on England as they played their final friendly against Portugal in Milton Keynes. But did the game reveal anything you can use in your World Cup Predictor plans, or was it just a chance to test new combinations and playing styles?

The final friendly

Friendly games are often  uniquely odd thing, especially ahead of a major tournament. In the past, sides have been known to change all eleven players at half time to give everyone a run out. However, after losing their 30-game unbeaten streak against Australia recently, England were expected to reassert themselves against Portugal, who sit 17 places below them in the world rankings. As it was, Sarina Wiegman’s side suffered an uninspiring nil-nil draw, which hardly sends them off to Australia and New Zealand on a high note.

What went wrong for Wiegman?

It may only be a year since England’s magnificent victory in the Euros, but the side has changed significantly since then. Several players, including Ellen White and Jill Scott, have retired, and several more are out through injury, including Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby. That meant that although some players are expected to recover, new players and plans had to be tested against Portugal. Fortunately, England are spoiled for choice in some positions.

Competition for key places

Despite their long injury list, England still have strength in depth. Euros super-sub, Alessia Russo was edged out by WSL top scorer, Rachael Daly in the battle for the number 9 shirt, with Beth England also challenging strongly for a starting place up front. Meanwhile, shirt swinging goal scorer, Chloe Kelly, faces stiff competition from the likes of Laurens Hemp and James, although James was switched at half time into a number ten role.

“I think the team has changed so there’s a different dynamic now,” explained Wiegman after the game. “We have different people with different qualities. We continue to develop our style of play with the players we have.”

The clock is ticking

The fluidity of the team, and the ongoing challenge of injuries, are all good excuses, but Wiegman and England need to ‘develop their style of play’ and decide on their starting line-up sooner rather than later, because time is ticking away. England’s opening fixture on your Women’s World Cup Predictor game is on the 22nd July, and the time for excuses will be over. With few positives to be drawn from the bore-draw against Portugal, Wiegman has her work cut out as the England team prepare themselves Down Under.

Watch and learn

This kind of turmoil in the England camp is exactly the kind of information you should be looking out for as you put together your selections for your World Cup predictor game. England may be one of the favourites, but uncertainty like this can easily lead to a shock result and earn you unexpected points to put you ahead of the pack. Most World Cup predictor players will automatically pick England to win, partly on form and partly out of sheer patriotism. Dare to be different, by backing against them, and that could make all the difference when the final World Cup predictor points are counted.

It’s never too late

Time may be running out for Wiegman and her management team, but there’s still time for your company to join the Noise World Cup predictor game. It’s so simple to play, even for non-football fans – and it can be branded with your company colours and logos to give you the maximum benefit in terms of employee engagement and company image.

To find out more, visit our website or call the team directly on 01524 68446.