The Women's World Cup kicks off this week with European Champions England being among the favourites to win the tournament.
As we build up to the tournament itself I've decided to do a profile on their team which includes a short assessment of their squad, the group they're in, the team they'll be facing in that group and who is likely to be in their starting line up.
Let's see what I think of their chances.
PREDICTED STARTING LINE UP
Mary Earps will definitely start between the sticks as she's the Lionesses no.1 and is up there with the best keepers in the world.
In terms of the defence Lucy Bronze will obviously start at right back as she's one of if not the best in her position. She's been the clear first choice there for a while and will be again ahead of this tournament.
At centre back Millie Bright is obviously going to start there as she's the best that England have in that position and will captain the side at this tournament in the absence of Leah Williamson who is injured. Jess Carter I think will play alongside Bright because the pair play together at Chelsea which therefore gives them a good understanding of each other. Their understanding of each other and strong partnership they have at club level will be a massive plus for England defensively.
I think Alex Greenwood will slot in at left back because it's in my opinion her best position as she plays this role at Man City. Niamh Charles may have the no.3 shirt but with Greenwood having more experience and Charles only making appearance from the bench, Greenwood should be the favourite to start at left back.
In terms of the midfield Keira Walsh will play in the pivot role as she's the first choice in that position and one of the best around in it as well. The other midfield positions will likely be taken by Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone as they're the best that England have in those positions.
Stanway has been a guaranteed starter in the midfield for the last few years and has been a key player for England ever since Sarina Wiegman took over. With Fran Kirby missing the tournament through injury, Toone will be expected to take her place after impressing off the bench in the Euro's last year and having another decent season with Man United.
The attack like last year has places up for grabs because of the depth England have in this department. I think Lauren James and Lauren Hemp will occupy the wide areas as they've both played out there in both warm up games. Chloe Kelly will no doubt be pushing for a start after scoring the winner in the final of the Euro's last year and scoring twice in the final of the Arnold Clark Cup. But with James and Hemp having occupied those spots more recently, I think they're likely to keep their places heading into the tournament.
The player to lead the attack has to be Rachel Daly as she has the no.9 shirt and was the top scorer in the WSL last season with 22 goals. She was England's left back at the Euro's last year and after an incredible season as a no.9 with Aston Villa, she surely has to lead the attack.
THE GROUP
The Lionesses will be up against Denmark, China and Haiti in the group stages at this tournament and they should have more than enough quality to win those games and top the group. Denmark will be the challenging one as they have record goal scorer Pernille Harder leading their attack and she is someone the Chelsea players will know very well having played with her for the last few years. But the Lionesses should still have enough to beast them because of the quality they have and alongside their strength in depth.
THEIR SQUAD
The Lionesses squad isn't as strong as the squad they had at the Euro's last year because key players they're missing through injury in Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby. All three of them will be a big loss for them heading into this tournament but despite that, the Lionesses still have a strong squad because of the strength in depth they have. Especially in attack.
England's attacking options include the likes of Lauren, James, Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, Katie Robinson, Bethany England, Alessia Russo and Rachel Daly as well as Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone. If England are in need of a goal during the latter stages of a game Sarina Wiegman will be able to look to her bench for answers because of the attacking options she has. She did this during the Euro's last year with the likes of Ella Toone and Alessia Russo both coming off the bench and making an impact on more than a few occasions as England went all the way. Wiegman will no doubt be looking to do the same again at the World Cup if her side are to go all the way like they did last year.
PREDICTION: Semi Finals
I can definitely see England go far in this tournament because of the strength in depth and quality they have. But with the injuries they have to key players, I can only see them reach the semi finals. They're likely to play hosts Australia in the semis who beat the Lionesses back in April. They have the quality to beat the hosts but with home advantage likely to go in Australia's favour and the key players England are missing through injury, a semi final finish is more realistic.
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