England all set to give favourites Germany a run for their money

Starts 5pm Sunday

The Women's European Championship kicks off in Holland on Sunday with 16 teams competing for the first time.

Germany are the clear favourites, having won the tournament on seven occasions, and head into the finals as reigning champions after a dominant display to beat Norway 1-0 to secure their sixth successive European title in 2013.

Having not conceded a goal in qualifying, they will rely on experienced duo Lena Goessling and Anja Mittag along with some exciting young players.

France are traditionally strong at tournaments and are second favourites. Their squad features talented players Wendie Renard, Camille Abily and Eugenie Le Sommer who helped Lyon to win the Women's Champions League this year.

Sweden are potential dangers. They boast the experience of Caroline Seger and will be looking to atone for losing in the semi-finals when they hosted the finals in 2013.

They were silver medallists against Germany in the Rio Olympics last year and have a major threat in their leading goalscorer Lotta Schelin. They look good value at 10-1 to go well at the tournament.

Mark Sampson's England finished third in the Women's World Cup in Canada where they beat Germany for the first time thanks to a Fara Williams penalty. Sampson has elected to maintain the core of that squad having named his team three months before they travelled to Holland.

Expect Manchester City right-back Lucy Bronze to have an impact as she scored two outstanding goals in 2015 and is a threat from the flanks, while midfield stalwarts Jordan Nobbs, Karen Carney and Jill Scott can all cause trouble.

There's plenty of firepower up front in WSL1 Spring Series top scorer Fran Kirby, Barcelona's new signing Toni Duggan and Ellen White, who has rediscovered her form at Birmingham.

They are best priced 9-1 and after a smooth preparation which saw them win three games out of four, they look certain to have a major impact at another finals.

Scotland will join the Lionesses at the tournament for the first time and while they are without three key players in Kim Little, Jen Beattie and Lizzie Arnott, they boast plenty of talent in midfielders Jo Love, Caroline Weir, leading defender Rachel Corsie and forward Jane Ross.

Recommendations
England
2pts each-way 9-1 Betbright, Betfred
Sweden
1pt each-way 10-1 general