England Women will be hoping to begin their Women's Euro 2022 campaign with a win when they face Austria Women on Wednesday in the tournament opener.

The hosts will be looking to make a statement in front of the home support at Old Trafford, while Austria are looking to spoil the party.

Match preview

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After being eliminated at the semi-final stage at Euro 2017, England are dreaming of winning their first major trophy this summer.

However, before they can focus on the latter stages, the Lionesses must negotiate a group that features Austria, Norway and Northern Ireland.

England boss Sarina Wiegman won the 2017 tournament as manager of the Netherlands, and she will be fully aware that with a tricky fixture against Norway awaiting the Lionesses on matchday two, that they need to begin with a victory on Wednesday.

The 2009 European Championship finalists carry significant momentum into the tournament after winning their last six matches by an aggregate 30-2 scoreline.

They also have recent experience of facing Austria after beating Wednesday's opponents 1-0 in World Cup Qualifying last November, and the Lionesses would be content with replicating that scoreline in the group opener.

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Like their opponents, Austria also reached the semi-finals in 2017 before losing on penalties to Denmark.

After reaching the final four in their first major tournament appearance, Austria may be looking to go deep into Euro 2022.

However, they face an uphill task to progress from a group that features two sides ranked higher than themselves in the form of England and Norway.

They can at least take confidence from their recent performances after winning seven of their previous eight contests, while scoring 33 goals across those seven victories.

While picking up a positive result on Wednesday may prove to be a tall order, Austria can take inspiration from the fact that in their debut tournament in 2017 they never lost a match inside 90 minutes.

Team News

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Wiegman has named Arsenal's Leah Williamson as England's captain for the tournament, and the 25-year-old is expected to feature in midfield on Wednesday.

Lucy Bronze was left out of England's friendly win over Switzerland as a precaution, but the newly-signed Barcelona player is set to slot in at right-back.

Ellen White top-scored for the Lionesses at the 2019 World Cup, and the striker will be given the responsibility to lead the line at Old Trafford.

As for Austria, Manuela Zinsberger and Laura Wienroither will come up against a number of their Arsenal teammates, with the pair set to be included in the starting lineup.

Viktoria Schnaderbeck – who was recently released by Arsenal – is set to feature in the backline, while Austria's record appearance holder Sarah Puntigam will start in midfield.

Meanwhile, Nicole Billa will be one of the main goal threats after scoring 12 goals for Hoffenheim in the Frauen-Bundesliga last season.

England Women possible starting lineup:
Earps; Bronze, Bright, Greenwood, Daly; Williamson, Walsh; Mead, Kirby, Hemp; White

Austria Women possible starting lineup:
Zinsberger; Wienroither, Wenninger, Schnaderbeck, Hanshaw; Dunst, Zadrazil, Puntigam, Feiersinger, Naschenweng; Billa

We say: England Women 2-0 Austria Women

Although we expect Austria to put up stubborn resistance, we think England's extra quality will prevail to begin the campaign with a victory that would extend their winning run to seven matches.

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