The 2025 European Women’s Championship got under way this week and the four teams in Group D will get their campaigns under way later. The standout fixture sees France take on England, the holders.

This is a titanic tussle between two of the favourites to be crowned champions in Switzerland later this month. Will Sarina Wiegman’s side get off to a winning start?

France vs England women best bets

• England Women to win – 5/4 with Sky Bet
• Both teams to score – 8/11 with SBK
• Alessia Russo to score any time – 2/1 with Spreadex

France vs England women odds

Find the latest France vs England women betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

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France vs England Women predictions

France and England are rivals for top spot in Group D and rivals for the European Women’s Championship title. But they can agree on one thing: they would rather not be facing each other on matchday one.

By definition, the margin for error is narrower at a 16-team tournament than one which contains 24, 32 or, perish the thought, 48 sides. Tough matches should be expected from the get-go.

Even so, Group D looks fiendishly difficult. Spare a thought for Wales, tournament debutantes who have been drawn alongside the Netherlands, England and France. That is the winners of the last two Euros, together with one of the strongest sides around right now.

The stakes will be high from the very first whistle. The winner of Saturday’s showdown in Zurich will be the favourites to finish top of the group, whereas the losers will be on the backfoot immediately – especially as the Netherlands will surely have beaten Wales in the 5pm kick-off.

England have arrived at the Euros surrounded by as many questions as answers. They are the reigning champions following their success three years ago, but this time there is no home advantage to call upon.

On top of that, there is a feeling that Wiegman’s side may have passed their peak. Performances have been patchy of late and it is hard to shake the feeling that England have regressed since their run to the World Cup final in 2023.

There are personnel issues too. Mary Earps and Millie Bright opted against joining up with the squad for this summer’s event in Switzerland, leaving England without two of the players who were instrumental in 2022.

There are doubts over this France team too, despite the undoubted talent within the ranks. Successive managers have struggled to make les Bleus more than the sum of their parts. It is now down to Laurent Bonadei to guide France to their first ever major trophy.

The manager certainly cannot be accused of a lack of boldness. He took the major decision of leaving out Wendie Renard, Eugenie Le Sommer and Kenza Dali, three players who were widely assumed to be shoe-ins for the squad and perhaps even the team. Only time will tell whether it was a stroke of genius or an almighty blunder.

France vs England women betting tips

France and England will go head-to-head on matchday one of the European Women’s Championship.

England Women to win

This is a game which could go either way and it is easy enough to make a case for either team winning at the Stadion Letzigrund.

On balance, though, England look like the better bet. They may have lost to Spain last month, but they are still one of the best teams on the continent.

Wiegman has shown herself to be a master of tournament football, winning the Euros with the Netherlands in 2017 and then again with England in 2022.

England are a more settled side than France, who have chopped and changed managers in recent times. That should give them the edge here.

This game will probably be tight, but England have what it takes to kick-start their campaign with a victory.

Back England Women to win at 5/4 with Sky Bet

Both teams to score

France and England will both be keen to make a statement of intent in their first outings in Switzerland, but neither team will play with abandon.

The Lionesses have honed their style under Wiegman, who is attempting to win her third Euros in a row.

France have had less time to work with Bonadei, but there is no doubt they will pose a major threat with their speed in transition.

That is something England will try to guard against, although it is easier said than done. Attacks should get the better of defences in this one.

Select both teams to score at 8/11 with SBK

Alessia Russo to score any time

Alessia Russo is one of the first names on the team sheet for England.

The Arsenal striker has an excellent record for her country, having made the net bulge 23 times in 51 caps.

Russo is coming into the tournament on the back of her best scoring season at club level. She beat opposition goalkeepers 20 times in all competitions in 2024/25.

Russo is one of England’s most important players and she can make her mark against France in this crunch clash.

Tip Alessia Russo to score any time at 2/1 with Spreadex

How to watch France vs England women

• Location: Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland.
• Date and time: Saturday 5th July, 8pm.
• How to watch: ITV1 and ITVX.

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