Yahoo Sports England vs Ireland – Match preview and team news
England host the Republic of Ireland on Sunday as the two teams conclude their Nations League campaigns.
The Three Lions will confirm promotion back to the top tier of the Nations League with a win at Wembley.
Here is everything you need to know about the clash.
England vs Ireland – Match preview and team news
Form
England: WWLWW
England produced an accomplished performance to ease to a 3-0 win over former group leaders Greece in Athens on Thursday.
Ollie Watkins – given the nod over Harry Kane – opened the scoring inside seven minutes, before an own goal from Odysseas Vlachodimos doubled the lead.
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones then marked his England debut with a brilliant backheeled third. It’s four wins from five games for Lee Carsley who will sign off as interim manager after Sunday’s game.
England have not lost to the Republic of Ireland since the 1988 European Championship, a run of eight games. However, six of those contests have ended in draws.
Republic of Ireland: LLWLW
Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side warmed up for Wembley with a 1-0 win over Finland. Evan Ferguson scored the decisive goal in Dublin, while Caoimhin Kelleher was the hero after saving a penalty from Joel Pohjanpalo.
Home and away wins over Finland have ensured Ireland have avoided automatic relegation to the third tier. However, they will have to take on a runner-up from League C in a play-off to preserve their second-tier status.
Finland aside, The Boys in Green have failed to score their other group games, losing by 2-0 scorelines to England and Greece (twice).
Last Meeting
Republic of Ireland 0-2 England, September 7th 2024, Nations League
England began their Nations League campaign with a comfortable win in Dublin in September. Jack Grealish and Declan Rice – who each represented Ireland before changing their allegiance to England – scored the goals in Lee Carsley’s first game as interim manager.
The Three Lions raced into a two-nil lead inside 26 minutes before easing off after the break, with Carsley critical of the drop-off after half-time. However, England were largely untroubled by their hosts. Ireland boss Hallgrímsson admitted his team were ‘second best by far’.
Predicted Lineups
England predicted XI: Pickford; Lewis, Guehi, Harwood-Bellis, Hall; Gallagher, Gomes; Bowen, Bellingham, Rogers; Kane.
Ireland predicted XI: Kelleher; Doherty, Collins, Scales, O’Dowda; Ebosele, Cullen, Molumby, Johnston; Szmodics, Ferguson.
Who is the referee?
Erik Lambrechts (Belgium)
What channel is England vs Ireland on?
England v Republic of Ireland will be shown live on ITV1 with live coverage from 4pm.
What time is kick-off?
5pm GMT.
Odds
England – 2/9
Draw – 19/4
Ireland – 14/1
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