Prediction: Ireland vs England

Verdict: England win

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Getting their Nations League campaign underway on Saturday evening, England will travel to the Aviva Stadium when they meet Ireland.

Ireland

Starting with the hosts, getting a new era underway on Saturday evening following the appointment of Heimir Hallgrimsson over the summer, Ireland are desperately seeking some kind of stability. Enduring a EURO 24 qualifying struggle last year as they managed to secure just a pair of wins from any of their eight Group B appearances, the Greens will be bracing themselves for what promises to be a heavyweight challenge this weekend. Last seen during June’s international break putting in another worrying display as they slumped to a 3-0 drumming at the hands of Portugal, Ireland have won just one of their previous six matchups across all competitions. Likewise, hit with another 3-0 loss when they last met the Three Lions for a friendly showdown back in November 2020, Hallgrimsson couldn’t have asked for a tougher start to his tenure in charge at the Aviva Stadium.

Team News

While Brighton striker Evan Ferguson might not have made a single Premier League appearance so far this season, the 19-year-old has been called up to Hallgrimsson’s maiden squad. However, both still dealing with respective injury issues, the Greens are without the duo of Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu and Burnley midfielder Josh Cullen.

Switching his international allegiance from England earlier in the year, Leicester winger Kasey McAteer could earn a first cap this weekend. Callum Robinson, Alan Browne and Jayson Molumby have earned recalls.

England

As for the visitors, suffering EURO 24 heartbreak back on July 14th as they fell to a 2-1 loss at the hands of Spain, England are getting their own new era underway this weekend. Watching Gareth Southgate step down from his role, interim boss Lee Carsley will be calling on his superstar squad to claim an immediate response on Saturday evening. However, although the Three Lions might have reached back-to-back European finals, they have drastically struggled to find any kind of fluidity. Remarkably winning just a pair of their seven EURO 24 appearances within 90 minutes, England are also seeking a much-needed clinical edge in the final third. While Saturday’s guests might have come under plenty of recent scrutiny, they will be smelling a golden opportunity here. When England welcomed Ireland to Wembley back in November 2020, the Three Lions stormed their way to a routine 3-0 victory.

Team News

Dealing with a recent illness and featuring for just 45 minutes since opening up the new Premier League campaign, Manchester City ace Phil Foden will not feature here. Likewise, all still dealing with respective injury issues, the trio of Reece James, Luka Shaw and Real Madrid record-breaker Jude Bellingham have all been omitted from Carsley’s squad.

Chelsea confirmed earlier in the week that Cole Palmer has withdrawn from England’s squad and will remain in west London over the next fortnight. Carsley has called up Under-21 favourites Noni Madueke, Morgan Gibbs-White, Angel Gomes and Tino Livramento for potential senior bows.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Ireland and England last met back in November 2020, the Three Lions collected a 3-0 victory at Wembley.
• However, continuing on from their EURO 24 heartbreak over the summer, England have won just a pair of their previous eight appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes.
• Likewise, the Three Lions have failed to record more than a single strike in any of their last eight consecutive matchups.
• Ireland have recorded just a single win from any of their previous six appearances across all formats.
• The Greens have recorded just a single competitive victory since back in September 2022.

Conclusion

Enduring EURO 24 heartbreak over in Germany during the summer, many are wondering if England will show any signs of a hangover on Saturday evening. However, despite drastically struggling to find any kind of stability, the Three Lions should be relishing a trip to Dublin this weekend. Landing a routine 3-0 victory when they welcomed Ireland to Wembley for their most recent battle back in November 2020, we are expecting a similar away win here.

Verdict: England win

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Olympusbet