Republic of Ireland vs England – Match Preview

The Republic of Ireland take on England at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday, as both teams begin their UEFA Nations League campaigns.

Both teams are under new managers with former Iceland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson in charge of the home side, aiming to address a period of decline for The Boys in Green. The 57-year-old has experience of upsetting England, however, having masterminded Iceland’s win over The Three Lions at Euro 2016.

England begin life under Lee Carsley against the nation the interim boss represented during his playing career. The Birmingham-born coach won 40 caps for Ireland at international level and featured at the 2002 World Cup.

Republic of Ireland vs England – Match Preview

Form

Republic of Ireland: LDLWL

It’s just two wins in the last 10 for the Republic of Ireland, with one of those coming against minnows Gibraltar. However, a morale-boosting win over Hungary during June’s fixtures has offered encouragement ahead of the new regime.

Adam Idah and Troy Parrott were on target in that win with the forwards looking to build on impressive loan spells last season. Hallgrimsson has a variety of options to choose from at number nine, with last season’s Championship Golden Boot winner, Sammie Szmodics, and Brighton’s Evan Ferguson back in the squad for September’s games.

Hopes are high that two-cap defender Jake O’Brien, who joined Everton from Lyon in the summer, can help improve Ireland’s defensive record, while there’s a first call up for Leicester midfielder Kasey McAteer.

England: DWDWL

England aim to bounce back from defeat in the Euro 2024 final, a fixture which brought an end to Gareth Southgate’s eight-year reign as manager. Southgate was England’s most successful head coach since Sir Alf Ramsey, though faced criticism for a pragmatic approach and a failure to bring the best from England’s attacking talent.

The onus will be on Carsley to bring more adventure to the Three Lions and the signs are positive from his spell with the u-21 side. Offering an attractive brand of football with defensive solidity, England won the u-21 European Championship under his guidance in 2023.

There’s a new look to England with four uncapped players. Morgan Gibbs-White, Angel Gomes, Tino Livramento and Noni Madueke are in the squad for the first time, while the likes of Levi Colwill, Anthony Gordon and Jack Grealish will want to stake a claim after little or no involvement at Euro 2024.

Carsley has said he views Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold as a right-back, following his experimental move into midfield in the summer. The 25-year-old looks set to start in the absence of Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier’s international retirement.

Last Meeting

England 3-0 Republic of Ireland, International friendly, 12th November 2020

At 17 years and 137 days, Jude Bellingham became England’s third-youngest debutant of all time after being handed his debut in a friendly with the Republic of Ireland in 2020.

The Three Lions eased to a comfortable win, in friendly that was behind-closed-doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Harry Maguire headed England in front from Harry Winks’ cross after 18 minutes, before Jadon Sancho doubled the host’s lead before the break. Dominic Calvert-Lewin completed the scoring from the spot, as England beat The Boys in Green for the first time in 35 years.

Predicted Lineups

Republic of Ireland: Kelleher; Coleman, O’Shea, Collins, Doherty; Ogbene, Smallbone, Knight, Browne, Robinson; Idah.

England: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stone, Guehi, Lewis; Rice, Mainoo, Gibbs-White; Saka, Grealish, Kane.

What channel is Ireland vs England on?

Republic of Ireland vs England will take place on Saturday 7th September at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. It will be broadcast on ITV1.

What time is kick off?

17:00 BST.

Odds

Republic of Ireland – 11/2

Draw – 16/5

England – 12/25

Read – England new boy backs Carsley for success

See more – 5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶

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