Sarina Wiegman's side are set to face Ireland and Sweden, knowing two wins will ensure they have chance to defend their European title in Switzerland

Some six weeks after the seasons in most of Europe's top women's leagues finished, England are back in action over the next few days as they try to secure automatic qualification to the 2025 European Championship, at which they will be the defending champions.

It's an international break which, with its bizarre timing, highlights the issues that exist within the women's football calendar, but that will not be the focus for Sarina Wiegman's side, who know that wins over Ireland and Sweden will ensure they book a ticket to next year's tournament in Switzerland without needing to go through play-offs in a few months' time.

Qualification and the calendar are not the only talking points as the Lionesses prepare to return to action either, as GOAL picks out six things to watch ahead of England's games on Friday, at home to Ireland, and on Tuesday, in Gothenburg…

Getty ImagesEuros qualification on the line

While most would back England to come through the play-off route of qualification if it was needed, especially over two legs, the Lionesses would certainly like to avoid that – and for a couple of reasons. The first is, of course, to get the job done and avoid the need to play four must-win games at the end of the year.

But automatic qualification would also give Wiegman two international breaks where she can identify some top opponents for her side to take on in friendlies, in preparation for next year's Euros. That could be a side like Spain, the team that beat the Lionesses in last year's World Cup final and will likely be the favourites to take their European crown in 2025, or involve a different type of test, such as facing Emma Hayes' United States women's national team.

Identifying the type of opponents England need to do better against and then cherry-picking fixtures to improve the team's weaknesses is a much more appealing way for the Lionesses to finish the year, that much is for certain.

AdvertisementGettyGoalkeeper duel

So who will Wiegman trust to get that job done in these two games? One place in the team which is particularly interesting is that in between the sticks. Mary Earps has been England's No.1 throughout the Dutch coach's tenure, but Hannah Hampton has started to really challenge her for the shirt in recent months, even getting the nod in a qualifier against Ireland in April. It was the Lionesses' first starting XI for a competitive match that didn't feature Earps since September 2022.

Despite limping off minutes into her 50th England appearance in late May, it appears that Earps is going to be fit to stake a claim to start for these upcoming games, with her remaining part of the squad while others have withdrawn to continue their rehabs with club rather than country. But Hampton impressed in both games with France while her team-mate was sidelined. Could she continue in goal? It's going to be a close call, though Wiegman and the players have big trust in both.

GettyGreenwood's involvement

One of the biggest surprises in those games against France was that Alex Greenwood found herself on the bench for both. The Manchester City star has been England's most in-form centre-back for a while now and brings so much to the table with her quality out of possession, fantastic set-piece deliveries and passing range from deep.

However, Wiegman opted to start Millie Bright and Leah Williamson together in the centre for those games, despite the former being a little rusty still after a long period on the sidelines while the latter is herself continuing to work her way back to her best level following an ACL injury. Some thought that might be the case and that Greenwood would start at left-back, a position she played for many years and that England don't have a natural fit for, then. But Jess Carter took that role and thrived, impressing throughout the last international break.

What does that mean for Greenwood moving forward? These two games will give us some further information in that sense, amid a feeling that her talent would only improve this Lionesses team if utilised.

GettyJames' absence

While Earps and Niamh Charles were able to join back up with the England squad for this international break despite missing the last two games through injury, three players were not – including Lauren James. Her absence is, once again, a big blow for the Lionesses because she brings so much creativity and threat to the attack, in a way that no other player at Wiegman's disposal really can.

It'll be up to others to fill that void and bring a spark in the final third, the kind that helped James provide an assist in the draw with Sweden in April and score in the victory over Ireland the last time she was able to pull on her country's colours. The Lionesses have a lot of talent going forward, but who can dance past defenders and be the key that unlocks an opponent like the Chelsea star?