Bet Builder Tips: A 40/1 flutter for England v Belgium women tonight

Our tipster Colin Harvey limbers up for Euro 2022.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

Things got real for the England women’s team yesterday when they announced their final squad for Euro 2022. And no sooner had Sarina Wiegman finalised her 23 for this summer’s tournament than attention immediately turned to today’s friendly with Belgium at England’s new second home, Molineux.

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This is an interesting match up because England are overwhelming favourites in Paddy’s markets but just 12 places separate the hosts in 8th and Belgium in 20th in the FIFA World Rankings. All that does is serve to highlight the gap between the top teams and the second tier in the women’s international scene.

Nothing we can do about that, of course, but what we can do is try to look for any chinks in Paddy’s prices to build a beautiful Bet Builder for tonight’s game. Let’s get into it.

*A Bet Builder with these four bets pays at approximately 40/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.

Thursday 8pm: England v Belgium
TV: ITV 4 and ITV Hub

Belgium (+2)

There’s no doubt England will be looking to lay down a marker here and they are in sensational form with nine wins and two draws in their last 11. However, the same can be said for the Belgians who have won seven, drawn two (winning both on penalties) and lost one of their last 10.

The thing is, England are feast of famine and have ripped the lesser lights to shreds while stuttering a little against the better sides. They are better than Belgium but the closest match up we have to this game in their recent form is the 1-0 win over Austria in November, a side one place below The Red Flames in the world rankings.

These two drew 3-3 last time they played three years ago and England also beat Japan and Portugal 1-0 in the last couple of years, with the Asian side being a few places above Belgium and the European a few below in those world rankings. With England huge favourites it might pay to back Belgium (+2) in a narrow England win and a game that could be much tighter than you’d expect.

Under 2.5 Goals

Continuing with that logic, we could also witness Under 2.5 Goals. The fact is when England play anyone close to or just below their ranking it does tend to be really tight.

There are some absolute demolitions in their recent results with a 20-0, three 10-0s an 8-0, a 5-0 and a 4-0. But against Spain and Canada this season there were Unders in both in a 1-1 and 0-0 draw. There’s also that 1-0 win over Austria, a 2-0 loss to Canada in 2021 and a 2-0 win over Japan, a 1-0 loss to Spain and a 2-0 loss to USA.

The Belgians are happy putting minnows to the sword as well with a 19-0 victory of their own to revel in against Armenia. But with the Euros looming ever closer on the horizon I think we can expect defence to come to the fore and Under 2.5 Goals.

Both Teams to Score? No

Neither concede many goals but England have shipped just two in their last 11, to Canada and Germany who are both considerably better than Belgium. The Red Flames, on the other hand, conceded against Kosovo last time out and have seen two goalless draws in their last four.

I think we can expect England to dominate and that will limit Belgium’s chances of scoring even more. I think Both Teams To Score? No has a great chance here.

Lauren Hemp to Score Anytime

Little bit tricky to pick a goal scorer as The Lionesses tend to share them about a lot but I think Lauren Hemp to Score Anytime could be the way to play. Hemp was the 4th highest scorer in the Women’s Super League and the second-highest English scorer behind Beth Mead who bagged one more than her 10-goal haul.

The 21-year-old forward is the coming force in English football and could be poised to really take off over the summer. She comes into this game on the back of a double in her last international match so will be high in confidence. Hemp gets the nod in the goal scorer markets.

England v Belgium tips

Belgium (+2)
Under 2.5 Goals
Both Teams to Score? No
Lauren Hemp to Score Anytime

*A Bet Builder with these four bets pays at approximately 40/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.

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*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

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