England will host the Republic of Ireland at Wembley for a UEFA Nations League clash on Sunday evening, looking to secure the top spot in their group.
England are coming into the game against the Republic of Ireland on the back of a crucial 3-0 win over Greece earlier this week, and they are in control of their group right now. The Three Lions will be the favourites heading into this contest, and it remains to be seen whether they can pick up a comfortable victory at home.
Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland picked up their second victory of the campaign against Finland earlier this week, and they will look to pull off an upset here. On paper, the visitors will be the underdog, and it remains to be seen whether they can upset the odds.
When these two sides last met in September, England picked up a comfortable victory, and they should be able to grind out a similar result against Ireland again. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
England
England have several injury problems heading into this game, but they have the strength in depth to feel a strong side against the Republic of Ireland, especially after the result versus Greece.
Several players have pulled out of the squad with injury problems, and the hosts will be without Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Aaron Ramsdale, Kobbie Mainoo, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Eberechi Eze, and Kyle Walker.
England will start in a 4-2-3-1 formation against the Republic of Ireland, with Jordan Pickford in goal. Rico Lewis and Lewis Hall will start as the full-backs, and they will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Ezri Konsa will start in the central defensive pairing alongside Marc Guehi.
Curtis Jones and Angel Gomes will start in the middle of the park, and they will look to add creativity and control to the side. Jude Bellingham will reprise the no. 10 role, and he will look to link up with the attackers and open up goalscoring opportunities. He will look to get on the scoresheet as well.
Noni Madueke and Morgan Rogers could be deployed in the wide areas, with captain Harry Kane leading the line for England against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Lewis, Konsa, Guehi, Hall; Gomes, Jones; Madueke, Bellingham, Rogers; Kane
Republic of Ireland
Seamus Coleman, Shane Duffy, and Adam Idah have all withdrawn from the squad, and Festy Ebsosele picked up an injury against Finland on Thursday. Chiedozie Ogbene and Robbie Brady are sidelined with knocks as well.
The Republic of Ireland will start in a 4-4-2 formation against England, with Caoimhin Kelleher in goal. Matt Doherty and Callum O’Dowda will start as the full-backs. They will look to keep things compact at the back and help out during transitions. Nathan Collins will start alongside Liam Scales at the heart of the defence.
Josh Cullen and Jason Knight will start in the central midfield pairing, and they will look to add defensive cover and drive to the side. Finn Azaz and Mikey Johnston will start on the flanks. They will look to hit England on the break with their pace and flair. Finally, Evan Ferguson will lead the line for the visitors alongside Sammie Szmodics.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Kelleher; Doherty, Collins. Scales, O’Dowda; Azaz, Cullen, Knight, Johnston; Ferguson, Szmodics
Key Stats
- England have kept a clean sheet in their last three matches against the Republic of Ireland in all competitions.
- England are undefeated in their last five matches against the Republic of Ireland in all competitions.
- Nine goals have been scored in the last five matches between these two sides.
- England have won four of their last four matches in all competitions.
- The Republic of Ireland have lost four of their last six matches in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Harry Kane
The England international striker is our key player to watch out for. Ireland have been quite vulnerable defensively, and Kane has the quality to punish them with his creativity and goalscoring ability.
The England captain is more than just a goal scorer, and he will help create opportunities for his teammates as well. The Bayern Munich striker could make a big difference for England when they host the Republic of Ireland this weekend.
Prediction
England 2-0 Republic of Ireland
England will be the favourites to pick up all three points here, and they should be able to continue their impressive run of form. The Three Lions will be the overwhelming favourites at home, and Ireland will struggle to pull off an upset. The home team is likely to pile further misery on the visitors here. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Lee Carsley and his charges.
