After thrashing Norway 8-0, England Women will be looking to complete the Women's Euro 2022 group stage with maximum points as they target a win over Northern Ireland Women on Friday.

While England are guaranteed to finish as group winners, Northern Ireland have already been eliminated from the tournament ahead of the contest at St Mary's.

Match preview

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Northern Ireland have struggled in their first major tournament appearance, with their two group games both resulting in defeats.

Norway cruised to a 4-1 victory in their opening contest before they lost 2-0 to Austria on Monday, confirming their early elimination from the European Championships.

Austria opened the scoring in the 19th minute through Katharina Schiechtl, but Northern Ireland kept themselves in the contest before Katharina Naschenweng struck two minutes from time to quash any hopes of the Green and White Army picking up a point.

Although they are already eliminated, Northern Ireland will be motivated to collect their first-ever point at a major tournament on Friday.

However, after losing their last three matches against England by a combined 15-0 scoreline, hopes of picking up a positive result may be slim.

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Meanwhile, England have already secured their place in the quarter-finals as group winners after beginning their European Championship campaign with two victories.

The 1-0 win over Austria to open the tournament may have not been convincing, but their performance against Norway certainly was.

Georgia Stanway opened the scoring against Norway after dispatching her spot kick in the 12th minute, while Lauren Hemp found the net three minutes later before Ellen White and Beth Mead grabbed two goals apiece, giving England a six-goal lead at half time.

Substitute Alessia Russo made it seven before Mead completed her hat-trick and the 8-0 win, which saw the Lionesses break their own record for the biggest win at the UEFA Women's European Championships.

After making history, Sarina Wiegman will challenge her side to extend their winning run to nine matches ahead of the knockout stages.

Team News

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Simone Magill was ruled out for the tournament after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in their opening game against Norway.

Rebecca McKenna came into the side for the defeat to Austria, and the 21-year-old is expected to retain her place at right-back.

Meanwhile, Abbie Magee could return to the starting lineup after dropping down to the bench on matchday two.

As for England, Wiegman has indicated she will not make wholesale changes for the final group game, resisting the temptation to rest a number of key players ahead of next week's quarter-final.

England captain Leah Williamson will look to help her side clinch a third consecutive clean sheet at the European Championships when she partners Millie Bright in central defence.

After struggling with fatigue last season, Fran Kirby could be rested for Friday's contest, which could present Ella Toone with a starting place.

Northern Ireland Women possible starting lineup:
Burns; McKenna, Nelson, McFadden, Vance; Furness, Callaghan, McCarron; Magee, K. McGuinness, Wade

England Women possible starting lineup:
Earps; Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Daly; Stanway, Walsh; Mead, Toone, Hemp; White

We say: Northern Ireland Women 0-5 England Women

Even if Wiegman decides to make several changes to her side, we still expect England to cruise to victory against a Northern Ireland side that have struggled in their first major tournament appearance.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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