2025 Homecoming Series: England vs Australia

England host Australia in the second of four friendlies in their 2025 Homecoming Series. 

England come into this game off the back of a 2-1 loss to Brazil, whilst Australia defeated Wales by the same result.

 

Team  News

Anouk Denton has been called up to bolster Sarina Wiegman’s defensive options due to unspecified niggles within the defence, having played out a physical 2-1 defeat to Brazil last Saturday.

Hannah Hampton could return in goal after she missed that friendly with an elbow injury.

Australia have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 2-1 victory against Wales.

 

When is Kick-Off?

England host Australia at Pride Park, Derby, on Tuesday 28 October at 7pm GMT, live on ITV4 and ITVX in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• England have won one of four previous friendlies against Australia this century (W1, D1, L2).
• Australia have avoided defeat in two of three previous friendly trips to England (W1, D1, L1).
• Sam Kerr has scored in each of Australia’s last two meetings against England in all competitions (W1, L1).
• England are yet to lose consecutive matches in all competitions under Wiegman.
• Australia have won just one of four matches played outside of their country in 2025 (W1, L3).

 

Prediction

After a sloppy first half in terms of defensive quality against Brazil who just had too much power and intensity to their play, England must now regroup and try to find a way to be as defensively solid as they were in the second half because this won’t be easy either against Australia’s direct play.

Australia however didn’t exactly have it easy against Wales who gave them a proper fight and needed a late winner to settle the friendly, which might just stand them in good stead because they will need to be clinical if want to beat the hosts who will be motivated to bounce back from their defeat to Brazil.

England however should be stronger if Hampton returns whilst I think that Lucy Bronze and Niamh Charles will start in defence, but this does feel like it could end in a draw.

Prediction: England 1-1 Australia

Result: England 3-0 Australia