England women are in Germany on Thursday for a friendly ahead of their Euro 2017 qualifier at home to Bosnia & Herzegovina on Sunday.
Mark Sampson’s side will be given a tough test versus Europe’s finest team. Germany have won all four of their qualifiers to date, scoring 22 goals, and are yet to concede.
A knee injury has ruled out Chelsea’s versatile left-sided player Claire Rafferty for the double-header which concludes at Aston Gate on 29 November.
Arsenal’s Jemma Rose is Rafferty’s replacement in Sampson’s 23-strong England squad.
The last time England met Germany, they upset the odds with a 1-0 win in the third-place match at this past summer’s World Cup in Canada. However, given that this is a friendly game, England are still a good bet to use your matchbook bonus to back as winners against Germany on Thursday.
Bosnia & Herzegovina are the main challenge, though, but should not prove a test in what will be England’s first home match since the World Cup. The former Yugoslav country has tasted two wins and two defeats from their opening four qualifiers – losing 5-0 at home and 6-0 away to Belgium.
Whilst Belgium may offer a stern test to the England women’s team when they first meet in April next year, the Bosnians should not pose a threat from the Lionesses, making it two wins from two to start their campaign.
England boast a lot of talent and experience in their squad, including 31-year-old Karen Bardsley in goal, 127-time international Alex Scott in defense and star player Eniola Aluko up front.
Seven uncapped players have been called up for the two games, with the youngest of those being Sunderland striker Beth Mead. Sunderland currently sit in the top half of the Women’s Super League with Mead netting 14 goals; 11 more than any of her teammates.
England were 8-0 winners in Estonia in their first qualifying game for Euro 2017.