Republic of Ireland vs England predictions: Three Lions face Dublin test
- England in Group B2 following relegation from Group A
- Ireland finished third in Group B1 in last edition
- Recommended bet: England to win and both teams to score
England begin their Nations League campaign with a tricky assignment in Dublin on Saturday against the Republic of Ireland.
After missing out on European glory this summer under Gareth Southgate when England were beaten by Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Germany, Lee Carsley has taken over on an interim basis and he heads back to familiar territory as the former Irish international goes up against the Republic.
The hosts also have a new man in charge in the shape of former Jamaica boss Heimir Hallgrimsson.
Ireland failed to qualify for the Euros and there is an obvious difference in class between the two squads but the hosts are sure to give a good account of themselves in front of a fired-up Aviva Stadium.
Team news
Goalkeeper Max O'Leary and forward Kasey McAteer will hope to make their full Ireland debuts as part of a mixed squad containing youth and experience.
The hosts will be captained by 35-year-old Everton full-back Seamus Coleman, while Callum O'Dowda and Robbie Brady are in the squad.
Brighton striker Evan Ferguson will hope to start up front, while Ipswich forward Sammie Szmodics is also in contention.
Carsley, meanwhile, has named four uncapped players in his first squad, with Tino Livramento, Noni Madueke, Angel Gomes and Morgan Gibbs-White called up.
Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Ollie Watkins all withdrew last week due to fitness concerns, while Jude Bellingham, Ivan Toney and Luke Shaw are absent.
The stats
This is England's first game in Ireland since a goalless friendly between the two countries in June 2015.
Ireland have won just two of their last 10 games, losing six of those outings.
England's sole defeat across their last seven matches was the Euro 2024 final loss to Spain.
Jack Grealish and Declan Rice are both in the England squad having played for Ireland at international level previously. Rice played three friendlies for the Republic, while Grealish played six games for Ireland at Under-21 level.
England and Ireland have played each other 17 times, with England winning six of the meetings. There have been nine draws and two victories for Ireland.
Prediction
England are justifiably favourites as the European Championship runners-up take on a side who managed just two wins when finishing fourth in their qualifying group for the competition.
There is 54 places between the two sides in the FIFA rankings (England fourth, Ireland 58th) and the visitors should have enough quality to secure an away win but they are unlikely to have it all their own way in Dublin.
Ireland will be up for the challenge of trying to stop Carsley picking up a win in his first game in charge as they also aim to start the Hallgrimsson era well and kick off their Nations League campaign positively.
Ireland have struggled for goals recently but a possible strike pairing of Ferguson and Szmodics in this clash is one that could cause the visitors problems.
However, while it could come down to just one goal, England should prevail.
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