New Delhi: England will face the Republic of Ireland in Aviva Stadium, Dublin, for the UEFA Nations League 2024-25. England’s interim manager, Lee Carsley, will look to outwit a country he has made 40 appearances for. His opposite number, Heimir Hallgrimsson, is also relatively new to his job after being announced as the new coach for the Irish side in July 2024.
Carsley comes into England’s senior team after yet another runners-up finish in the Euro 2024 under Gareth Southgate, that eventually brought the end of the latter’s managerial career with the English side. However, the English side were much less dominant than the side that had won the silver medal in the 2020 Euros.
England lacked the energy and determination needed on the field during the entirety of the tournament. Faltering throughout the tournament, England managed to book a place in the finals but were upstaged by a ruthless Spain. After coaching the side for eight years, Southgate has left behind a legacy of turning the English camp into a team again. This will make Carsley’s temporary or permanent tenure comparatively easy. For now, the 50-year-old has been appointed on a temporary basis, with the jury still out to appoint the next England coach.
With Southgate’s appointment for the England job converted from interim to permanent criteria, everyone hopes that Carsley, too, can retain his job in a similar fashion. The Nations League for Carsley to make a case for his stay as Three Lions will try to go back to the top tier of the League, having been relegated in the 2022-23 season.
After making his way through managing his home side, Iceland and Jamaica, Hallgrimsson finds himself taking the reins from Stephen Kenny for Ireland as a permanent successor. Kenny leaves the side with just 11 wins from leading the side with 40 matches.
In the aftermath of Kenny’s exit, Ireland were led by interim manager John O’Shea at the start of the year. The tenure results were mixed with Ireland winning against Hungary and drawing with Belgium. Following losses to Switzerland and Portugal Hallgrimsson has been brought in to lead Boys in green following his stint with Jamaica.
The 57-year-old coach though oversaw Jamaica’s underwhelming performance in the Copa America, he has been part of Lars Lagerback’s Iceland coaching staff that had handed over England a humiliating defeat in the Euro 2016. Having failed to win against England since 1988, Hallgimsson would hope that playing in Dublin will help his cause.
Team News
Carsley has shown in his former U-21 stars with four uncapped Noni Madueke, Tino Livramento, Angel Gomes and Morgan Gibbs-White in his squad. With Kieran Trippier stepping down from international football and Cole Palmer and Phil Foden pulling out of the tournament and Ollie Watkins out with injury, the uncapped playera have found themselves at the senior team. The squad also misses services of Jude Bellingham, Ivan Toney, Luke Shaw and Aaron Ramsdale.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will like start after Carsley confirmed he looks at him as a right-back rather than a midfielder with Harry Kane all set to his 99th game for England, though he has struggled in more recent times.
Hallgrimsson’s squad also includes Max O’Leary and Kasey McAteer hoping to get their first senior cap, though O”Leary will be a backup for Caoimhin Kelleher. Nearly nine players who had played in matches in June have been excluded including their defensiuve stars Shane Duffy and Enda Stevens. However, their captain Seamus Coleman is still in the Irish plans and all set to make his 73rd appearance for his nation.
Evan Ferguson has been called to the side after being on sidelines for months due to injury and the 19-year-old will be looking to take the centre spot with Callum Robinson, Adam Idah and Troy Parrott on his side, though Hallgrimsson may deploy two number nines.
Predicted Lineups
Republic of Ireland:
Kelleher; Coleman, O’Shea, Collins, Brady; Ogbene, Browne, Smallbone, O’Dowda; Ferguson, Idah
England:
Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Maguire, Colwill; Rice, Mainoo; Saka, Eze, Gordon; Kane
Head to Head
England have won six times and drawn nine times having started playing against each other in 1946. Ireland have managed to win twice, with their last win coming in 1988. They have managed to draw six times since but lost to the Three Tigers 3-0 during Friendlies in 2020.
Where to watch
Ireland vs England will be live broadcasted on Sony Sports Network and live streamed on SonyLiv at 9:30 P.M. IST, 7th August 2024. Faroe Islands will face North Macedonia at 6:30 P.M IST. Armenia will clash with Latvia at 9:30 P.M IST. Georgia will clash against Czechia at 9:30pm IST and Moldova will take on Malta at 9:30 P.M. IST today.
Predictions
With England having managed to keep the clean sheet in their last four matches against their near neigbhours, it is likely that they will win the draw 2-0. However, as the team lacks the star power and playing in Ireland’s backyard, the Men in Green will give their all to make the results go in their favour.
UEFA Nations League 2024/25: As Ireland prepare to take on England at their backyard, here’s a look at the two sides as they are lead into the game by new managers. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
