England Lionesses conclude a memorable 2022 with an international friendly against Norway at Pinatar Arena, Murcia, Spain.
Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses enter this match looking to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 26 matches, which would see them achieve an extremely rare entire calendar year without defeat.
Norway though are under management of England’s former interim Head Coach, Hege Riise and will be looking to halt the Lionesses’ run, as they seek revenge for a 8-0 thrashing in the group stage of 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro.
Team News
Beth Mead has withdrawn from England squad for family reasons and already returned to the UK.
Lauren James or Ebony Salmon could therefore come in and replace Mead in the starting line-up, having started Friday’s win against Japan on the bench.
Lucy Bronze is also absent due to a minor injury and has returned to her club, Barcelona for treatment.
Manager, Sarina Wiegman could also opt to tweak her starting line-up as Maya Le Tissier and Katie Robinson chase their senior debuts for the Lionesses.
Norway have no fresh injury concerns to report following their defeat to France on Friday evening.
When Will England v Norway Take Place?
England will host Norway on Tuesday 15 November in an international friendly on neutral soil at Pinatar Arena, Murcia, Spain, in a 8pm CET (7pm UK Time) kick-off.
For UK-based fans, the match will be broadcast live on ITV4 with build-up commencing from 6:15pm GMT.
Stat Attack
- England have won three of their last five meetings against Norway in all competitions (W3, L2).
- Norway have won just one of therir last five meetings against England in all competitions to be held at a neutral venue (W1, D1, L3).
- Georgia Stanway has scored the opening goal in each of her last two England appearances against Norway (W1, L1).
- Victory would see the Lionesses go a full calendar year unbeaten for the first time this century and fourth time in their history, having avoided any defeats in 1983, 86 & 93 previously.
- Sophie Roman Haug has scored five goals across her last three starts for Norway (W2, L1).
Prediction
Having cruised comfortably past 2011 World Cup winners – Japan on Friday evening, Wiegman’s Lionesses now need to take the positives of a tricky game where the slower pitch surface and wind forced them to adapt despite dominating possession.
Norway though have shown improvement since their embarrassing Euros display this summer with three clean sheets in five matches, yet have struggled when faced with high-quality teams like Brazil and France but did beat a largely youthful Netherlands team though last month.
Riise’s Norwegians therefore will be aware that they will be in for a tricky test against a team full of confidence and blended experience, so they will need to be at their best because I can’t see England avoiding defeat given their quality and form.
Prediction: England 2-1 Norway
Result: England 1-1 Norway