France vs England Bet Builder Tips: Over 2.5 goals in 9/2 shot

England will begin their Uefa Women's European Championship title defence when they face France for their Group D opener at Stadion Letzigrund on Saturday (20:00, ITVX). The two teams met in qualifying, with both teams experiencing a win over the other.

They will now renew this rivalry on the bigger stage and it should lead to a captivating contest. Below you will find my France vs England Bet Builder Tips, which combine for a 9/2 price.

France vs England Odds

Draw or England

This looks to be a tough opening match for the Lionesses but it is one for them to lay down a marker and fire a warning to their rivals who are hoping to usurp their throne this summer in Switzerland.

Both teams have the advantage of having already gotten the measure of the other in qualifying and there was little to separate them as they won a game each - both by a 2-1 scoreline.

England arrive here with a lot of pressure as the defending champions but they have one of the best coaches around in Sarina Wiegman, while their squad is among the best in the world, mainly because they have quality in depth.

Les Bleues will likely put that quality to the test, though, as they are 10 games unbeaten in the group stage at the Euros, and this may prove to be a tricky opening fixture for the Lionesses.

In the last six meetings in all competitions, the two sides have won three games apiece, and France have won two of the previous three. England's winning experience from the last tournament may be a factor here, so I'm inclined to back them to begin with a valuable three points.

However, France will pose a threat and are themselves a force to be reckoned with, so I'd also cover the draw for some added insurance.

Both teams to score

I'm expecting a very competitive match and with the attacking quality both teams possess, I think we will see goals scored at both ends of the pitch. This was a successful bet in their past four meetings, including the two qualifiers they contested last year.

Both squads are blessed with capable goalscorers, with France's Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Oda Katoto having netted 68 international goals between them.

For the Lionesses, they have several prolific stars in Alessia Russo (23), Lauren Hemp (18), Beth Mead (36), Ella Toone (21) and Georgia Stanway (22).

Over 2.5 goals

With all that firepower on offer, I don't think there will be a shortage of goals and so the next leg of my Bet Builder is for there to be over 2.5 goals. There have been at least three goals scored in each of the past four meetings between France and England, with two of them surpassing the three-goal mark.

Over 2.5 goals has also struck in England's previous five matches heading into Saturday, while this has been a winning selection in three of France's past four appearances.

Alessia Russo anytime goalscorer

There are plenty of players in the England squad capable of stepping up to be the hero, but the person I think can play a starring role in this opening match is Russo. The Arsenal striker was on target in the away game against France in qualifying, while she has also found the net in the Lionesses' two warm-up matches ahead of the Euros.

She's in good form and I believe she's worth backing to get on the scoresheet on Saturday night.

Offers

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