Day three matches: Betting previews, tips and when to watch the action in France

BBC from midday, Sunday

England v Scotland

BBC1, 5pm

Having gained a bronze medal at the last World Cup four years ago and won the prestigious SheBelieves Cup in March, optimism in the England camp is high but the Lionesses have struggled in their warm-up matches for France.

A 1-0 loss to New Zealand in their final friendly at Brighton last week left many questions to be answered, particularly over who manager Phil Neville will put his faith in for their Group D opener against Scotland in Nice.

Neville has a galaxy of attacking talent from which to select and it would be no surprise if the rotation he utilised in the friendlies continues in the tournament.

But there have been concerns that England are shaky at the back - they have kept only two clean sheets in their last eight matches, which is not a convincing statistic for a team ranked third in the world.

They beat Scotland 6-0 in the last European Championship but this match looks set to be a lot tighter.

Shelley Kerr's team qualified with seven wins form their eight matches and they are unbeaten in their last five games, a run which included a 1-0 success over Brazil.

The USA and Canada are the only teams they have failed to score against since April 2018 and in Chelsea's Erin Cuthbert they have a forward who is capable of causing the England defence problems.

Expect Scotland to make their mark in their first game at the World Cup.

Recommendation
Both teams to score
2pts 31-20 Ladbrokes

Key stat
Scotland have scored in 12 of their last 14 internationals.

Brazil v Jamaica

BBC red button, 2.30pm

Brazil won their seventh Copa America Feminina last year and possess an all-time great player in Marta but the 2007 runners-up could not have entered the tournament in more miserable form.

They have played some decent teams in the last year - five of their defeats since July have come against the USA, England and France - but such a poor run is bound to have taken its toll on morale.

Jamaica have been written off as the outsiders of Group C in their World Cup bow but their display in an entertaining 3-2 defeat to Scotland in their final warm-up game was promising.

Forward Khadija Shaw scored both of the Reggae Girlz' goals on that occasion and she looks a star in the making.

Having completed her college studies in America, she is set to have a host of top European clubs looking to obtain her services and is a big price to score against Brazil on the biggest stage.

Recommendations
K Shaw first goalscorer
0.5pt 25-1 Betway, Sky Bet
K Shaw to score at any time
0.5pt 7-1 Sky Bet

Key stat
Brazil have lost their last nine matches.

Australia v Italy

BBC red button, midday

With Brazil struggling, it is no surprise to see Australia chalked up as Group C favourites and the Matildas are confident of building on three successive quarter-final appearances.

Enthusiasm may have been tempered by a 5-3 defeat to the USA and a 3-0 loss to Holland and they have had to cope with a late change of manager, but they could prove too strong for Italy, who are making their first appearance in the finals since 1999.

Italian women's football is in rude health at club level and they have won seven of their last nine games, but their successes have been against some lowly-ranked nations.

Expect Sam Kerr, who has been prolific for Perth Glory and for Chicago Red Stars in America this season, to set Australia on their way with the opening goal.

Recommendation
S Kerr first goalscorer
1pt 9-2 Betway

Key stat
Sam Kerr has scored 22 goals in her last 20 club and international matches.

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport