As England Prepare For Their World Cup Double Header, We Have A Look At Where We Are Now.
As it is well documented, England are in exceptional form winning all six of their World Cup qualifiers so far scoring thirty-three goals without reply. We need to put this in perspective, a little. There are other other teams with more goals throughout the European qualifying groups. Whilst this is truly a remarkable feat, it's not unique. All of the other nations to have scored more goals than England have played more games and the only other nation (Sweden) to have not conceded has played less games. To keep this within England's group (Group 6), the Lionesses sit at the top with neighbours Wales in second place. Wales are also in good form winning four from six and losing once. Their goal tally is second only to England's at 14 and have the second best defence conceding just four. Thursday's opponents Ukraine are in third place playing only four games so far winning two and losing their last game against England. Their defence is good conceding six, four of which came against the Lionesses. Unfortunately, Ukraine have managed to hist the back of the net six times. Belarus are in fourth place with a respectable goal scoring record of eleven goals in five games. Their downfall, at this stage, is their defence leaking eleven. Turkey are level on points with Belarus having won two games and losing four. Turkey's defence is poor letting in twenty goal and scoring only six. Montenegro prop up the group table with seven defeats from seven conceding a very poor thirty-three goals and scoring a less than impressive four.
Outside of Group 6, Sweden also have a 100% record with a clean sheet in all five of their games in Group 4 so far. The Swedes' goal scoring record looks good too scoring an average of three goals per game. However, the Swedes sit in second place having played one game less than leaders Scotland, who have won six from six scoring 25 and conceding just three. Poland are still in with an outside chance six points behind Sweden winning three and losing three from their six games.
The team with the most goals scored is Germany in Group 1 with eight wins from eight games scoring an incredible 56 goals in the process. They have only conceded three goals which makes them an impressive looking force in the European section of the qualifying stage. They have also amassed twice as many points as their closest group rivals, Russia and scored almost six times as many goals. Also in Group 1, Ireland are still in the running to finish second with seven points from five games and the second best defensive record.
Many believe that England will win the group and Wales will finish in second place but, nothing is decided yet. With four games left for both England and Wales (including the match between the two sides), they are both in good positions. Belarus will provide a good test for England with their eleven goals scored. England's first game of this qualifying group was against Belarus at Bournemouth's Dean Court back in September where a Karen Carney hit-trick provided the catalyst for England's 6-0 victory. Since that match, Belarus have been in indifferent form scoring eleven goals and conceding five from four games, winning two and losing two. They have the ability to cause England problems and the Lionesses' defence will need to be hot to keep the Belarus girls at bay.
Ukraine are also in some indifferent form losing their first game of this qualifying campaign to England where they conceded twice as many goals as they had in their previous three games. Whilst England managed to keep yet another clean sheet against the Ukrainians, they still have two games in hand over the rest of the group and could prove to be a test as they will look for revenge at Arena Lviv in their bid to reach the finals in Canada next year.
Based on current standings and form, Wales will prove a tough test with the match potentially carrying the most influence in deciding the eventual winners. Wales are five points behind England and the previous encounter was England's lowest scoring game of the qualifiers so far. If Wales can find a goal against the Lionesses, they will stand a very good chance of winning the game.
We fully expect England to win the group and progress to Canada and will be keeping an eye on the other home nations as they bid to take part in the biggest competition in women's football.
As it is well documented, England are in exceptional form winning all six of their World Cup qualifiers so far scoring thirty-three goals without reply. We need to put this in perspective, a little. There are other other teams with more goals throughout the European qualifying groups. Whilst this is truly a remarkable feat, it's not unique. All of the other nations to have scored more goals than England have played more games and the only other nation (Sweden) to have not conceded has played less games. To keep this within England's group (Group 6), the Lionesses sit at the top with neighbours Wales in second place. Wales are also in good form winning four from six and losing once. Their goal tally is second only to England's at 14 and have the second best defence conceding just four. Thursday's opponents Ukraine are in third place playing only four games so far winning two and losing their last game against England. Their defence is good conceding six, four of which came against the Lionesses. Unfortunately, Ukraine have managed to hist the back of the net six times. Belarus are in fourth place with a respectable goal scoring record of eleven goals in five games. Their downfall, at this stage, is their defence leaking eleven. Turkey are level on points with Belarus having won two games and losing four. Turkey's defence is poor letting in twenty goal and scoring only six. Montenegro prop up the group table with seven defeats from seven conceding a very poor thirty-three goals and scoring a less than impressive four.
Outside of Group 6, Sweden also have a 100% record with a clean sheet in all five of their games in Group 4 so far. The Swedes' goal scoring record looks good too scoring an average of three goals per game. However, the Swedes sit in second place having played one game less than leaders Scotland, who have won six from six scoring 25 and conceding just three. Poland are still in with an outside chance six points behind Sweden winning three and losing three from their six games.
The team with the most goals scored is Germany in Group 1 with eight wins from eight games scoring an incredible 56 goals in the process. They have only conceded three goals which makes them an impressive looking force in the European section of the qualifying stage. They have also amassed twice as many points as their closest group rivals, Russia and scored almost six times as many goals. Also in Group 1, Ireland are still in the running to finish second with seven points from five games and the second best defensive record.
Many believe that England will win the group and Wales will finish in second place but, nothing is decided yet. With four games left for both England and Wales (including the match between the two sides), they are both in good positions. Belarus will provide a good test for England with their eleven goals scored. England's first game of this qualifying group was against Belarus at Bournemouth's Dean Court back in September where a Karen Carney hit-trick provided the catalyst for England's 6-0 victory. Since that match, Belarus have been in indifferent form scoring eleven goals and conceding five from four games, winning two and losing two. They have the ability to cause England problems and the Lionesses' defence will need to be hot to keep the Belarus girls at bay.
Ukraine are also in some indifferent form losing their first game of this qualifying campaign to England where they conceded twice as many goals as they had in their previous three games. Whilst England managed to keep yet another clean sheet against the Ukrainians, they still have two games in hand over the rest of the group and could prove to be a test as they will look for revenge at Arena Lviv in their bid to reach the finals in Canada next year.
Based on current standings and form, Wales will prove a tough test with the match potentially carrying the most influence in deciding the eventual winners. Wales are five points behind England and the previous encounter was England's lowest scoring game of the qualifiers so far. If Wales can find a goal against the Lionesses, they will stand a very good chance of winning the game.
We fully expect England to win the group and progress to Canada and will be keeping an eye on the other home nations as they bid to take part in the biggest competition in women's football.
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