Northern Ireland do not stand a chance against England in their Women’s Euros Group A encounter, claims Lionesses great Kelly Smith.
The hosts are already safely through to the quarter-finals and may use their dead rubber against Northern Ireland, who were knocked out on Monday, to rest players.
But Smith, who boasts 117 caps for the Lionesses, believes Kenny Shiels’ side will offer nothing to frighten England when the two meet in Southampton on Friday.
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“Whatever England team is selected I just cannot see anything other than a comfortable win,” Smith said in her Sporting Life column.
“Northern Ireland have done really well as the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, scoring their first-ever goal at a Euros, but heading into this game there has to be a fear factor having just seen what England did to Norway.
“They'll try and get rid of that fear, relish the chance to face another home nation, and do everything they can to try and win by making it tough with five at the back and everyone behind the ball. I just don't see them having any chance at all, though.”
England are guaranteed to play the runners-up of Group B in the quarter-final in Brighton on 20 July, with Spain and Denmark to play a straight shootout in their final group game on Saturday.
While Northern Ireland will go in search of their first point at the Euros having made their major tournament debut in an opening 4-1 loss to Norway.
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The former Arsenal player also gave her verdict on which players she believes will be rested by Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman with nothing resting on their home nations clash.
She added: “With England already through to the quarters, that is obviously a far more important match than the final group game against Northern Ireland, so it's a tough one for Sarina Wiegman to balance between resting players and upsetting momentum.
“I'd be keeping the spine of the team the same with Mary Earps in goal, with Millie Bright and Leah Williamson in central defence, and then take a few of the other players out.
“Rachel Daly got her foot stuck in the ground against Norway and jarred her knee so she'll probably sit it out, and Lucy Bronze on the other side at right-back I think will do too. Demi Stokes and Jess Carter are probably the ones to come in.
“Alessia Russo scored so she might get a start now. Beth England hasn't had any minutes yet, so she's another that might get some involvement too. But already that's sounding like a lot of changes, and too many does pose its own risk.”
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