France Women vs England Women Prediction: Russo Tipped to Strike in Lionesses’ Euro 2025 Opener

England kick off their Women's European Championship title defence on Saturday night in Zurich, taking on France at Stadion Letzigrund in what promises to be a challenging opener, live on ITV1 at 8pm.

Both teams, who are among the favourites at Euro 2025, find themselves in a tough-looking Group D, which also features 2017 champions the Netherlands, who were led to glory by current England boss Sarina Wiegman.

Read on for our top betting picks ahead of this highly anticipated showdown, as the Lionesses aim to secure a crucial three points.

France Women vs England Women Betting Tips

Alessia Russo is available at a standout 9/4 with bet365 to get on the scoresheet in England’s Euro 2025 opener.

A breakout star during Euro 2022, Russo struck four times off the bench and added three more goals en route to the 2023 World Cup final, firmly establishing herself as the Lionesses’ go-to striker. She enters this summer’s tournament in top form, having clinched the WSL Golden Boot with 12 goals and played a key role in Arsenal’s Champions League triumph, where she netted seven times.

On the international stage, she boasts an impressive return of 23 goals in 51 appearances, including two in June against Spain and Jamaica.

With the Ballon d’Or race heating up, a special tournament in Switzerland would catapult Russo firmly into the conversation for world football’s top individual honour.

Goals look likely in Saturday night’s showdown, with both teams to score kicking off our 3/1 Bet Builder.

Each of the last four meetings between France and England has seen both sides find the net. That includes a pair of 2-1 away wins in Euro 2025 qualifying, a 3-1 friendly victory for France in 2021, and a 4-1 England win back in 2018.

France come into the match in red-hot attacking form, having won all eight of their matches in 2025 while scoring 22 goals, including three against Brazil just last week.

One to watch is Sandy Baltimore, whose versatility as a wing-back or winger has delivered 15 goals and six assists across club and country last season. She’s already netted five times for France in 2025 and is 11/5 to score or assist on Saturday - a value pick that completes our 3/1 double with bet365.

France Women vs England Women Team News

France manager Laurent Bonadei opted not to select former captain Wendie Renard and leading goalscorer Eugenie Le Sommer in his Euro 2025 squad.

Meanwhile, England won't be able to call on the retired duo of Mary Earps and Fran Kirby, while Millie Bright ruled herself out of the tournament.

The starting lineups will be revealed in the graphic below approximately one hour before kick-off.