Friday's Women's Euro 2022 predictions and free football tips

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Friday's matches in Group A at the 2022 Women's European Championship.

Where to watch

Northern Ireland v England
BBC One & iPlayer, 8pm Friday

Austria v Norway
BBC Three & iPlayer, 8pm Friday

Best bets

England -3 goals on handicap v Northern Ireland
1pt 10-11 Hills

Austria or draw double chance v Norway
1pt 4-5 bet365, BoyleSports

Friday's preview

England are already assured of top spot in Group A but boss Sarina Wiegman will want the Lionesses to head into the Euro 2022 quarter-finals with a perfect group record.

The Lionesses blew away two-time European champions Norway on Monday night, with a hat-trick from Beth Mead and Ellen White’s brace helping them on their way to an emphatic 8-0 victory.

That scintillating success was a big step forward from the 1-0 win over Austria in the tournament opener and, even allowing for the likely scenario of changes to their starting 11, they should have few concerns claiming maximum points against group minnows Northern Ireland.

Wiegman may opt to protect some of her star assets ahead of Wednesday’s last-eight encounter in Brighton, but this is an England team with great depth and their eliminated opponents have only pride at stake after losing their opening two games.

Kenny Shiels’s side have been soundly beaten by Norway (4-1) and Austria (2-0), two performances which left the manager questioning whether his inexperienced side were ready for the challenge of Euro 2022.

Northern Ireland conceded 41 shots across those two defeats and must be fearing the worst at St Mary’s against the confident hosts, who in 16 games under the impressive Wiegman have racked up 93 goals.

That sequence of results for England includes a convincing 5-0 win over Northern Ireland in World Cup qualification in April and a repeat outcome looks possible for Southampton.

At a shade of odds-on, the Lionesses, who have conceded just three goals in their last 16 internationals, are taken to prevail by four or more goals.

The other Group A contest between Austria and Norway at the Amex Stadium carries far more significance with the winner joining England in the quarter-finals.

It will be interesting to see how Norway picks themselves up after their 8-0 humbling on Monday and it would take a brave punter to back them at odds-on on that evidence.

There is not as much between these nations as the prices suggest and with a draw good enough to see Austria advance on goal difference, they are worth backing to avoid defeat.

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