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European champions England kick off their World Cup campaign against Haiti at Lang Park, Brisbane and it would be a major surprise if the Lionesses didn't win well.

Three blanks and a glut of injuries have cast a shadow over England's preparations for the finals but whoever head coach Sarina Wiegman picks to play, and no matter how disappointing the prep results, the obvious bet is England with something in hand.

This is a team that over the last two years has hit five goals or more in 10 separate internationals and double figures on four occasions.

And while Haiti are quite likely to be a cut above Luxembourg, Latvia and North Macedonia, the world's 53rd-ranked nation know they are going to be defending en masse in Brisbane against the fourth best team in the world.

Wiegman has had cracks to paper over in attack following the injury to Beth Mead hot on the heels of Ellen White's retirement.

But there is more than enough pedigree in any permutation of the likes of Rachel Daly, Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone and Lauren James to suggest the floodgates could well open.

A comfortable England win is factored into all prices for this Group D opener where over 4.5 England goals is worth an investment.

It’s going to be a long, hard 90 minutes for World Cup first-timers Haiti and England will be keen to make a statement opening after failing to find the net in their three prep matches against top teams Australia, Portugal and Canada.

The other factor against Haiti is their youth and inexperience. The squad is stacked with players who ply their trade in French football and the league system in France is strong. But only one player in their group is over the age of 26 and that rawness and inexperience at the highest level could well work against them.

It's hard to know quite what team Wiegman will send out given that their second match, against Denmark in Sydney, could well decide who finishes first in the section.

She is unlikely to take too many liberties although one player who looks undroppable at the moment is Lauren Hemp, who gets the nod in the anytime scorer market.

The tricky Manchester City ace finished the WSL season in style with three goals in her last four games and her direct running and pace, and her trickiness coming in off the wing, make her a real threat to a defence which is rarely tested as it will be by England's array of stars.

England will have to be conscious of the threat carried by a couple of Haiti's French-based stars – notable skipper Nerilia Mondesir and fellow striker Roselord Borgella – but the favourites ought to be piling up the chances and taking their fair share.

Tips

England to score over 4.5 goals

Lauren Hemp (England) to score anytime