Prediction: England vs Greece

Verdict: England win to nil

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Getting their Nations League adventure back underway on Thursday night, England will welcome Greece to Wembley.

England

Starting with the hosts, while England might have got a new era underway following their EURO 24 heartbreak over the summer, the Three Lions do appear to be enjoying life under interim boss Lee Carsley. Getting their Nations League adventure underway with a routine 2-0 win away at Ireland on September 7th, it is no surprise that the European heavyweights are pencilled in as a landslide contender to book an immediate League A return this year. Last seen signing off September’s international break with another 2-0 victory at home against Finland, Carsley is certainly staking an early claim to be appointed Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor. Trying to implicate a new free-flowing approach going forward, England will be confident of laying down another Nations League statement when they return to Wembley on Thursday night.

Team News

While Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke might not have received a senior international call up over the past seven years, Spurs’ summer recruit has been included in England’s squad this month. However, despite impressing in north London since opening up the new campaign, James Maddison has not been selected by Carsley.

Although Jude Bellingham might have missed September’s international fixtures after dealing with a minor knock, the Real Madrid talisman has been recalled. However, West Ham skipper Jarrod Bowen and Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze have been omitted from Carsley’s squad.

Greece

As for the visitors, while Greece might have suffered infamous EURO 24 qualifying heartbreak back in March as they fell to a penalties defeat against Georgia, the Ethniki haven’t shown any signs of a hangover since opening their respective Nations League adventure. Getting their League B campaign underway with a thumping performance on home soil as they stormed their way to a 3-0 victory against Finland, Ivan Jovanovic’s men have collected six points from their first two appearances. Last seen signing off September’s international break with a rugged 2-0 win away at Ireland, the one-time Al Nasr boss should be relishing a trip to Wembley on Thursday night. It should also be noted, despite their penalties heartbreak against Georgia seven months ago, Greece have not conceded a single goal in any of their previous four competitive showdowns across all competitions.

Team News

While there might have been speculation that Jovanovic might have been tempted to add a few new faces to his squad this month, Greece have elected to name the same squad as their September roster. The Premier League-based duo of West Ham defender Konstantinos Mavropanos and Liverpool star Konstantinos Tsimikas will feature here.

While Fotis Ioannidis might still be waiting to open his Super League account with Greek giants Panathinaikos, the 24-year-old notched a pair of goals from his first two Nations League appearances and will lead Jovanovic’s attack in the final third.

Key Factors to Consider

• When England and Greece last met back in August 2006, the Three Lions collected a 4-0 victory on home soil.
• England are unbeaten in all of their seven historic meetings against Greece across all formats.
• While England might have suffered major EURO 24 heartbreak out in Germany over the summer, that is the only defeat that Thursday’s hosts have suffered from any of their previous nine appearances.
• Despite their EURO 24 qualifying heartbreak back in March, Greece have not conceded a single goal in any of their previous four competitive appearances.
• The Three Lions have recorded back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since June 2023.

Conclusion

While Greece might have opened their Nations League campaign with a real flurry, Thursday’s guests will be more than aware that they face a monumental step up in class at Wembley. With Carsley’s interim squad pencilled in as a landslide contender to book an immediate League A return, the Three Lions will be looking to lay down another early marker here. Registering consecutive clean sheets for the first time in 16 months and enjoying their new identity, we are backing what will be an expected home victory in north London.

Verdict: England win to nil

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet