England Women will warm-up for the 2023 World Cup by hosting the Arnold Clark Cup tournament, which they won last year.

They begin the defence of the trophy with a game against South Korea, who are also using the next few games as preparation for the World Cup.

Match preview

England won the first edition of the Arnold Clark Cup last year after they topped the standings on goal difference.

The Lionesses finished level on five points with Spain, but one goal proved to be the difference, and their success in the invitational tournament represented just the start of a memorable year.

Sarina Wiegman's side went on to become the first men's or women's England team to win a major tournament since 1966, as they went all the way in Euro 2022, lifting the trophy at Wembley after beating Germany in extra time.

England are set to play Brazil in the first women's finalissima in April, before they head off to Australia and New Zealand in July for the World Cup, and like last year, they will hope to use the Arnold Clark Cup as a springboard for future success.

The Lionesses have never lost a game under Wiegman's tutelage, and they will be looking to extend their 26-game unbeaten run on Thursday.

South Korea are currently preparing for their third consecutive World Cup appearance following an impressive performance in the 2022 Asia Cup.

Last year's Asia Cup served as a World Cup qualifying tournament, and South Korea sealed their place when they reached the quarter-finals.

Although qualification was secured, they beat World Cup hosts Australia 1-0 to progress to the semi-finals, where they dispatched the Philippines with a 2-0 victory.

Despite taking a two-goal lead in the final against China, they ultimately went on to lose 3-2, missing out on the chance to win their first Asia Cup title.

However, they have responded well to that final defeat, losing only one of their last eight internationals, while they are currently unbeaten in five games.

Team News

Beth Mead was the top scorer at Euro 2022 with six goals, and her performances earned her the Best Player of the Tournament award, but she is currently unavailable for selection, with the Arsenal forward sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury which makes her a major doubt for the World Cup.

After missing the November internationals through injury, captain Leah Williamson returns to the squad, and she will line up in central defence alongside Millie Bright.

Rachel Daly has scored 10 goals in 13 Women's Super League appearances as a forward for Aston Villa this season, but she has been regularly used as a full-back for her national side, and she could be utilised in defence on Thursday.

As for the visitors, Brighton & Hove Albion Lee Geum-min and Park Ye-eun will be aware of the threat that their opponents pose, having regularly competed against members of the England squad in the WSL.

Lee and Park could both start in the middle of the pitch alongside former Chelsea midfielder Ji So-yun.

Son Hwa-yeon is expected to lead the line for South Korea, and she could be joined in the front three by Choe Yu-ri and Kang Chae-rim.

England Women possible starting lineup:
Earps; Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Daly; Stanway, Walsh; James, Toone, Kelly; Russo

South Korea Women possible starting lineup:
J. Kim; Choo, H. Kim, Lim, Jang; G. Lee, Ji, Y. Park; Kang, Choe, Son

We say: England Women 3-0 South Korea Women

England have been an invincible force under Wiegman's watch, and we do not see that changing here, as we expect England to kick off the Arnold Clark Cup with a comfortable victory.

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