England heads to Athens on Thursday night for a crucial UEFA Nations League match against Greece, hoping to reclaim the top spot in Group B2.
The Three Lions are currently three points behind Greece, who sit at the top with a perfect record in the group. England must win this game to keep their hopes alive of automatically advancing to League A, while Greece only needs a point to maintain their lead.
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Greece vs. England: A Match of Redemption and Ambition
The last meeting between these two teams at Wembley ended in a shocking 2-1 victory for Greece. England’s manager Lee Carsley experimented with a striker-less formation in that match, but it backfired as Greece capitalized on their chances, securing their first-ever win over England.
Carsley’s side will be determined to avoid a repeat and will likely field a more conventional lineup with Harry Kane back in the mix. England’s performance in this match is crucial, not only for their Nations League ambitions but also to restore pride after the previous loss to the Greek side.
Greece, on the other hand, enters the match in top form, having won all their group games. They’ve been formidable in their performances, including a solid 2-0 victory over Ireland in October.
With Premier League talents like Kostas Tsimikas and Konstantinos Mavropanos leading their defense, Greece will be confident of making it challenging for England to break them down.
England’s Lineup: Key Changes and Returning Stars
The club’s preparations for this game have been complicated by a series of withdrawals from the squad. Key players like Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Phil Foden, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all unavailable, forcing Carsley to make adjustments.
New call-ups such as Jarrad Branthwaite, Tino Livramento, and Jarrod Bowen have joined the squad, providing fresh energy and depth.
The return of Harry Kane is a significant boost for England. As the nation’s all-time leading scorer, Kane’s presence up front offers a reliable goal-scoring option. Jude Bellingham, another crucial player, will also feature in midfield.
His recent goal-scoring form at Real Madrid will add creativity and drive to England’s lineup, likely supported by players like Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon in attack.
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England Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
- Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
- Defenders: Kyle Walker, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall
- Midfielders: Gomes, Gallagher;
- Forwards: Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon;
- Striker: Harry Kane
Greece’s Strong Squad and Key Players
Greece’s historic win at Wembley last month was spearheaded by Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis, who scored twice. Pavlidis is expected to lead the line again, though Fotis Ioannidis could also see minutes, having been a standout performer earlier in the Nations League campaign.
Defensively, Greece will rely on Tsimikas and Mavropanos, while Newcastle United’s Odysseas Vlachodimos is set to start in goal.
Greece’s midfield will be without Dimitrios Kourbelis, who is suspended, but they have capable replacements to fill the gap.
Their compact 4-2-3-1 formation has allowed them to control games and strike effectively on the counter, a tactic that proved successful in their last match against England. If Greece can maintain that same level of discipline and opportunism, they could once again challenge England’s defense.
Greece Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
- Goalkeeper: Odysseas Vlachodimos
- Defenders: Lazaros Rota, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Kostas Tsimikas
- Midfielders: Manolis Siopis, Petros Mantalos;
- Forwards: Giorgos Masouras, Tasos Bakasetas, Christos Tzolis;
- Striker: Vangelis Pavlidis
England vs. Greece: Key Match Insights and Score Prediction
For the three lions, this game is about rectifying their defensive issues and finding a way to unlock Greece’s solid backline. Their last outing against Greece exposed gaps in England’s defense, which struggled with Greece’s quick transitions.
Although Carsley’s tactical shift backfired, England returned to form with a 3-1 win over Finland shortly after, showcasing a more cohesive and attacking approach. To succeed in Athens, they’ll need to maintain that intensity while tightening up at the back.
Greece has enjoyed success by playing a disciplined game, absorbing pressure, and counter-attacking effectively. Their confidence will be high following their victory at Wembley, and their home advantage could give them an extra edge.
With players like Pavlidis and Bakasetas in form, Greece will likely aim to exploit any lapses in England’s defense. However, the return of Kane and England’s focus on a must-win performance should make this a competitive encounter.
Score Prediction: Greece 1-2 England
How to Watch Greece vs. England
Fans in the United Kingdom can catch the game on ITV 1, ITVX, STV, STV Player, and UTV, while U.S. viewers can watch on fuboTV, TUDN.com, Foxsports.com, TUDN App, ViX, FOX Sports App, Fox Sports 1, and TUDN USA. For Canadian viewers, the match is available on DAZN Canada.
