The Lionesses are back in action tonight with an international friendly against Switzerland at Bramall Lane in Sheffield. Sarina Wiegman will be hoping to get her team back to winning ways following a goalless draw against the United States last time out.
That match featured a fine performance from Mary Earps who was recalled between the sticks for a more tactically defensive outing that tested the continued development of Wiegman’s European champions ahead of their title defence next summer.
Euro 2025 will be held in Switzerland and England are getting a taste of what potentially lies ahead when they take on the tournament hosts tonight. The Swiss are bruised and battered after a 6-0 defeat to Germany were they did not manage a shot in the entire game and will be hoping for an improved performance in London.
In what has been a ‘tough year’ for the Lionesses, according to Earps, going out on a high with a win this evening will give them some momentum heading into the new year.
Follow all the action from Wembley with our live blog below as England take on Switzerland:
Wiegman on experimenting with her squad
There has been a renewed focus, certainly in the back half of the year, from Sarina Wiegman to experiment and switch up her England squads.
While Euro 2022 was a triumph of consistent personnel playing their roles to perfection England had come to rely on they same group of players.
Wiegman has tried to change that and has brought in a new crop on young, hungry players to try and keep the Lionesses’ playing style fresh and new. It’s a work in progress.
The England coach said: “It gives opportunities for us to try out things and to play many players so absolutely, we need this game to try out these things.
“We still have seven months to go [before Euro 2025] but we want to get as much information as possible and develop our style of play and experience where we are at the moment.”
Mike Jones3 December 2024 18:00
Tactical stalemate with Emma Hayes and USA offers clues to England’s future
Another night of learning for England and Sarina Wiegman, even if the only fireworks produced from the visit of Emma Hayes and the United States were those in the pre-match light show at Wembley. A blockbuster between the European champions and Olympic champions this was not; rather a reflection that both teams missed key players in attack and were using this November friendly for tactical experimentation. Seven months out from the Euros, Mary Earps admitted England are still “figuring out” how they want to play.
But after conceding four goals in their previous outing at Wembley, Wiegman’s changes were made to ensure there would be no repeat. It offered a view of a more pragmatic “mature” England, to the point that Wiegman may have been overly cautious and the Lionesses finished with just one shot on target. “I don’t remember a chance,” said Hayes. Earps said it had been a “tough year” for England and the Lionesses played like they did not want another defeat. There was restraint, that shut out the USA. “After the Germany result, we expected a reaction,” Hayes said.
Mike Jones3 December 2024 17:55
Predicting England’s starting XI
Here’s how we see England lining up against the Swiss this evening:
England XI: Hampton; Le Tissier, Bright, Morgan, Greenwood; Walsh, Clinton, Park; Mead, Russo, Beever-Jones
Mike Jones3 December 2024 17:50
What is the England team news?
The Lionesses have been hit by further injuries ahead of the Switzerland game, with Chloe Kelly and Fran Kirby pulling out of the squad – adding to the absences of Lauren Hemp, Lauren James and Ella Toone.
Sarina Wiegman suggested she would “rotate a lot” against Switzerland, suggesting Hannah Hampton, Grace Clinton, Aggie Beever-Jones and Esme Morgan could be involved while Maya Le Tissier could return from concussion.
Laura Blindkilde-Brown and Ruby Mace are uncapped but could be handed their first minutes from the bench.
Mike Jones3 December 2024 17:45
How can I watch the game?
England vs Switzerland will be shown live on ITV 4 and ITV X, with coverage beginning at 7pm. The programme will be hosted by Laura Woods with Ian Wright and Karen Carney providing punditry from the studio.
Mike Jones3 December 2024 17:40
When is England vs Switzerland?
The friendly will kick off at 7:45pm on Tuesday 3 December at Bramall Lane, Sheffield.
Mike Jones3 December 2024 17:35
England vs Switzerland
England close out the year with a home friendly against Switzerland in Sheffield as the Lionesses look to finish 2024 with a win.
The European champions maintained there were improvements, particularly in defence, but there have been further injuries to attacking players ahead of the Switzerland game.
The Lionesses are building towards the defence of their European crown next summer, and will face the hosts Switzerland at Bramall Lane.
It’s their first meeting since a 4-0 win over the Swiss in June 2022, ahead of the summer where the Lionesses won the Euros.
Mike Jones3 December 2024 17:30
Good evening!
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s international football action between England and Switzerland as the two teams clash at Bramall Lane.
The game is the Lionesses final outing in 2024 and they will want to go out on a high following a tricky 0-0 draw against the United States in their previous fixture.
Sarina Wiegman continues to refine her team and her tactics ahead of the European Championships next summer so expect another surprising performance from her side tonight.
We’ll have all the team news, line-ups and updates throughout the night so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 7.45pm.
Mike Jones3 December 2024 13:57
