Nations League | League B

Nov 17, 2024 at 5pm UK

Wembley Stadium

Englandvs.Rep. Ireland

Match preview

Carsley is no longer having to field endless questions about his future as England manager. He saw his England team play with freedom on Thursday evening, when they beat Greece in style to avenge their October loss.

Ollie Watkins was picked to start instead of captain Harry Kane, despite reports that the Bayern Munich forward was injured. He scored just seven minutes in, and then an unfortunate own goal by Odysseas Vlachodimos and a clever flick by Curtis Jones made it clear who was in charge.

If England hadn't beaten Greece 3-0, they could have missed out on automatic promotion. But now they're in first place and have overtaken Greece on the head-to-head goals tally.

If they win at Wembley in Carsley's last game in charge, England will be back in League A at the first attempt. Then the Under-21 Euros-winning boss will step down to youth level and Thomas Tuchel will take over. His first match could be a Nations League promotion playoff if England don't make it this weekend.

Home has never been where the heart is for the Three Lions in the Nations League, though, as they have only ever won four of their first 10 matches on familiar soil in the competition, while only earning one success from their last five in front of their own fans.

While England are still waiting to learn whether they will shoot straight back up to League A or go through the rigmarole of a promotion playoff, Sunday's match is nothing more than a dead rubber for Ireland, whose fate has already been sealed.

Heimir Hallgrimsson's men squared up to Finland in a bottom-of-the-group showdown on November 14, where Brighton & Hove Albion hotshot Evan Ferguson came up with the telling contribution, but Caoimhin Kelleher's marvellous double save from Joel Pohjanpalo's penalty and Robin Lod's follow-up was just as crucial.

By keeping Finland at arm's bay in Dublin, Ireland condemned the Scandinavians to immediate relegation to League C while also confirming a third-placed finish, meaning that they will have to fight for their second-tier status in a playoff against a runner-up from League C.

Perpetual League B participants in the Nations League since the tournament's inauguration in 2018-19, Ireland have now finished third in all four of their campaigns in the competition, but they have failed to win or even score against an opponent not named Finland in this year's section.

Two former Boys in Green - Jack Grealish and Declan Rice - were responsible for Ireland's demise at the Aviva Stadium in September, which extended England's unbeaten run against Sunday's visitors to eight matches since a 1-0 loss at Euro 1988, one of the shocks of the tournament.

Recent Performance

England Nations League form:WWLWW

England form (all competitions):LWWLWW

Republic of Ireland Nations League form:LLWLW

Republic of Ireland form (all competitions):LLLWLW

Team News

Kane is back in the starting line-up for Sunday's finale after being consigned to a substitute appearance on Thursday. Carsley has confirmed that he will start, despite losing no fewer than nine players to injury before the midweek success.

The England boss is facing a new challenge as Ezri Konsa was forced off for debutant Lewis Hall in the 3-0 win over Greece with a hip injury. This means either Jarell Quansah or Taylor Harwood-Bellis could be in line for a senior England debut.

Kane might not be the only one who'll be changing things up in attack, as Jarrod Bowen and another recent debutant, Morgan Rogers, could offer alternative options out wide. But Jude Bellingham should continue in the number 10 slot.

Ireland boss Hallgrimsson will also have to make at least one change on Sunday. Midfield mainstay Jason Knight picked up his second yellow card of the group against Finland, so he'll be suspended for one game on Sunday.

The Boys in Green are also worried about the fitness of Watford wide man Festy Ebosele, who made his first senior start for his country in midweek but was forced to leave the field of play midway through the second half due to injury. Kasey McAteer and Finn Azaz are on standby.

With Knight out of action, Jayson Molumby should come in to partner Josh Cullen in the heart of midfield, and AZ Alkmaar's Troy Parrott – who's already got seven Eredivisie goals this season – could be an option to replace Sammie Szmodics up front.

Possible starting lineup

England possible starting lineup:

Pickford; Lewis, Guehi, Harwood-Bellis, Hall; Gallagher, Gomes; Bowen, Bellingham, Rogers; Kane

Republic of Ireland possible starting lineup:

Kelleher; Doherty, Collins, Scales, O'Dowda; McAteer, Cullen, Molumby, Johnston; Parrott, Ferguson