5 days ago
England vs France odds, prediction: Defending champs begin Euro 2025 campaign
What an opening game for the holders at the European Championships. England won the last Euros on home soil before failing at the final hurdle at the World Cup, narrowly losing to Spain in the 2023 final.
Their manager, Sarina Wiegman, has an extraordinary record in this competition, having won it with both the Netherlands and England. In fact, her record is astonishing as a manager at the Euros with 12 wins from 12 matches. Despite this, France represent a serious test and should not be underestimated. A year ago, England defeated the French but they haven't managed the trick twice in a row since way back in 1974.
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There is something of the immovable force meets the unstoppable object about this one. France haven't lost any of their last 10 Euros group games, a run that stretches back to 2009.
Spain and England are the favourites to go all the way, understandably, but France are considered the fourth-most likely to lift the trophy at the end of the month so this is undeniably the pick of the group stage matches. France have reached the knockouts of each of the last four Euros and will believe there is nothing to stop 2025 going the same way.
The last six matches between these sides are a good indicator of how little there is to separate the teams. England have won three and France have won three, a far cry from the first 21 games they played against each other, during which time England won only twice. At the Euros, it's one win apiece for England and France having met on just two occasions at the tournament. The last three holders have drawn their opening match when attempting to retain their trophy, a result both these teams would probably be happy with ahead of easier group stage games.
Odds via Betfair
Time: Saturday, 8 p.m. BST (3 p.m. ET)
Venue: Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich
England 1, France 1
There is almost nothing to suggest either team has the upper hand here and, while there haven't been many draws between the sides in recent times, it feels the most likely outcome. Opening matches at major tournaments are often tentative affairs and both nations will feel as though a draw represents a positive result in by far the toughest of the group games. The holders of the Euros tend to draw their opener and, in a game in which that could suit both teams, it's hard to look past a repeat here.
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(Photo of Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood: Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images)
