Greece vs England – Match preview and team news

Greece host England in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday night as the two teams battle for top spot and promotion.

Ivan Jovanović’s side head into the contest in buoyant mood, having upset England with a 2-1 win at Wembley last month. Another victory for Greece tonight will secure promotion to the top tier of the Nations League, though England can reclaim top spot with a win by two or more goals in Athens.

Here is everything you need to know about the clash.

Greece vs England – Match preview and team news

Form

Greece: WWWWW

Greece are in real form right now and have reeled off five consecutive wins. The Greeks have conceded just one goal during that run, which includes a famous win at Wembley last month. Benfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis scored twice, including a 94th-minute winner, to seal Greece their first-ever win over England.

A narrow defeat in Germany is Greece’s only loss in their last nine internationals, while Greece have kept clean sheets in five of their last seven games.

Pavlidis will hope to retain his place at centre-forward this evening, though
Fotis Ioannidis is back in the squad after missing October’s games. The Panathinaikos striker scored 23 goals in all competitions at club level last season and has four in his last five international appearances. Liverpool left-back Kostas Tsimikas should also feature.

Greece are building momentum as the nation look to qualify for a first major tournament since 2014.

England: LWWLW

England’s shock setback against Greece is the sole blemish on Lee Carsley’s spell as interim manager, with the 50-year-old having led England to three wins from four games. The Three Lions bounced back from that defeat with a comfortable 3-1 win in Finland, as goals from Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice sealed three points in Helsinki.

None of that trio are available this month, however, while Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer are among the other big name absentees.

It is set to be an experimental England side in Athens and Carsley could look to call upon players who have served him well at u-21 level. Angel Gomes will hope for another start in midfield, while Curtis Jones could debut after a string of impressive performances for Liverpool in recent weeks.

Ollie Watkins is reportedly set to be handed the chance to lead the line ahead of Harry Kane, in a big call from the interim boss.

Last Meeting

England 1-2 Greece, October 10th 2024, Nations League

Lee Carsley’s uber-attacking experiment backfired as England were beaten by Greece for the first time last month. The interim boss opted against using a recognised forward, as he looked to pack Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka into the same side. A lop-sided England were second-best at Wembley as Vangelis Pavlidis scored twice to seal the visitors a famous win.

After Greece’s opener early in the second half, Bellingham’s sweet hit looked to have rescued England a result on 87 minutes. However, Pavlidis proved a thorn in the England side and snatched three points for Greece with a 94th-minute winner. It was a fitting tribute to England-born Greece international George Baldock, following the tragic news of his passing in the build up to the game.

Predicted Lineups

Greece: Vlachodimos; Rota, Mavropanos, Koulierakis, Tsimikas; Siopis, Mantalos; Masouras, Bakasetas, Tzolis; Pavlidis.

England: Pickford; Walker, Konsa, Guehi, Lewis; Gomes, Jones, Bellingham; Madueke, Gordon, Watkins.

Who is the referee?

Daniel Siebert (Germany).

What channel is Greece vs England on?

Greece vs England will be shown to a UK audience live on ITV1.

What time is kick off?

19:45 GMT.

Odds

Greece – 3/1

Draw – 23/10

England – 1/1

Read – Five of the best games to watch during the international break

See more – Iconic Performances: Beckham’s Greece goal earns England redemption

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