England vs. Spain Predictions: Beth Mead tipped to continue scorching hot form in Euro 2022 quarter final
After breezing through the group stages at Euro 2022, Group A winners England now face their first big test in the quarter-finals against pre-tournament favourites Spain, who finished second behind Germany in Group B. The teams lock horns in Brighton at The Amex, a venue that hosted England’s spectacular 8-0 demolition of Norway.
Below we bring you our tips for the last-eight clash.
England vs Spain Tips
Three matches, three wins, 14 goals scored, zero conceded. England couldn’t have asked for a better start to their home tournament. As a result, Sarina Wiegman’s side will be brimming with confidence and momentum ahead of Wednesday’s duel with Spain. The hosts have the added advantage of an extra day’s rest, while the scorching hot record-breaking temperatures that have dominated the start of the week will have cooled somewhat come this match.
Spain were installed as one of the ante-post favourites for European glory despite the absence of record-goalscorer Jennifer Hermoso. The Spanish were then hit devastatingly hard on the eve of the tournament when their Ballon d’Or winner, Alexia Putellas, heartbreakingly suffered an ACL injury. Without two of their top stars, they've beaten Finland 4-1, lost 2-0 to Germany, then scored a last-gasp winner in a 1-0 triumph over Denmark in their final group game.
Spain are still equipped with the tools to beat any team on their day and were actually the last team to prevent England from winning - in a goalless draw in February - and head to the south coast priced at 14/5 for the win in 90 minutes. It’s England, on the back of a sizzling nine-game winning run, who have been installed as the 21/20 favourites for the victory, whereas a draw can be backed at 5/2.
Spain may be hindered by the absence of Jennifer Hermoso and Alexia Putellas, but they still possess plenty of threats all over the pitch. They are a side that has seen an awful lot of the ball - they had over 70% possession in all three group matches - meaning the Lionesses need to be both patient and clinical.
This is a really difficult match for England, yet I still think that they have more than enough quality to get the job done in 90 minutes against a side that were exposed by Germany (2-0) in the group stages.
The Lionesses have conceded just three goals and scored 98 in 17 matches under Wiegman, which really are phenomenal figures. They have won plaudits from the variety of the goals they are scoring (stunners, headers, penalties, tap ins, team moves), with their array of attacking options simply sublime: From record goalscorer Ellen White, Euro 2022 top scorer Beth Mead, and the brilliant Fran Kirby and Lauren Hemp, to Alessia Rosso who has three goals as a substitute so far this tournament; Wiegman also has the likes of Chloe Kelly, Nikita Parris, and Beth England to call on should she need too.
Providing the hosts can handle the growing hype and expectation that builds by the day, then they have every chance of dismantling Spain. At 21/20, a win in normal time for the hosts is my pick for a side that haven’t lost competitively on home soil in a whopping 37 matches.
As touched on above, Wiegman is spoilt for choice when it comes to her attacking assemble, which includes sharpshooter Beth Mead. Not only is the Arsenal forward the tournament’s top-goalscorer with five goals, she also has the joint most assists (three), making her the stand-out performer of the group stages.
Mead has scored against each opponent she has faced so far - Austria (1), Norway (3) and Northern Ireland (1) - propelling her national tally to 27 goals in 42 games. When just taking performances under Wiegman into account, the 27-year-old has an astonishing 19 goals and 12 assists in 15 games.
At 11/4 with Paddy Power, I really fancy Mead to continue her exceptional form in front of goal by netting anytime in 90 minutes. Given her form she'll really fancy her chances of unlocking a Spanish defence that conceded against Finland and twice to Germany.
She’s also a tempting 7/2 to score in an England win (also Paddy’s) - a bet that has landed in all three games - she's 13/2 (bet365) to open the scoring, and 16/5 (Paddy’s) to enhance her assist tally.
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