Easy group? Lionesses warned not to underestimate World Cup opponents who all have something to prove
The Lionesses have cemented themselves as second-favourites to win the World Cup behind defending champions, the USA.
But one ex-Lioness told talkSPORT she's worried England could find it difficult to overcome their lower-ranked group opponents.
England kick off their World Cup campaign on Saturday as they aim to get out of Group D, with Sarina Wiegman's side set to go up against China, Denmark and Haiti.
Last summer's impressive European Championship win has placed an expectation upon the shoulders of the Lionesses to go and win the World Cup for the first time.
But despite this, former England Women's forward Rachel Yankey believes her former side shouldn't underestimate those they'll be coming up against in the group stages — particularly newcomers Haiti.
“I think it’s still quite a hard group to get out of,” Yankey, who made 129 appearances for England, told talkSPORT.
«Haiti is unknown. And also they’ve got nothing to lose. They’re going out and playing against the European Champions — they’ve got everything to gain. And that, for me, in the first game I don’t like that.
“I’d rather play Denmark as a first game because you know more about Denmark, you’re used to playing a European side.»
However, Yankey’s ex-England teammate Lianne Sanderson has a different view on their chances of making it out of Group D.
“I think we should win this group pretty comfortably,” she told talkSPORT’s Women’s World Cup Preview Show. “If we can’t beat Haiti, China and Denmark, then I think questions have to be asked.”
So how much of a threat do each of England’s group opponents pose? talkSPORT.com takes a look...
After a shock defeat over Chile in a playoff game in February, Haiti clinched one of the final spots at the World Cup.
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