SportsMole previews Sunday's Nations League clash between Greece and Republic of Ireland, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Fresh from a highly emotional win against England, Greece When they return home on Sunday Republic of Ireland In their next UEFA Nations League Conflict.
The Pirate Ship upset the chances of coming from Wembley 2-1 win On Thursday evening, the boys in green were also successful in their travels, sinking Finland by the same scoreline. League B Group 2.
Competition preview
© Imago
24 hours before departure on Thursday evening, The news of the tragic death was reported Former Greece international and Sheffield United right-back George BaldockThe 2004 European champions requested the postponement of their Nations League clash with England.
The Pirate Ship's option was not granted by UEFA, but as a fitting tribute to their late teammate, Ivan JovanovicThe men – wearing their black armbands – played England off the park and deservedly beat the two-time European finalists for the first time.
A double in the second half from Vangalis Pavlitis Both sides of a Jude Bellingham The leveler extended Greece's perfect start to the 2024-25 tournament and they now sit top of the table by three points, having also beaten Finland last month and the visitors on Sunday.
In League B, Greece will only qualify for automatic promotion to the yet-to-be-contested top tier, but the Pirate Ship have proven their League A credentials in just a couple of years out of the league. C.
Sunday's hosts have now won four matches in all competitions, including a friendly win over Malta in June – the last three of which have come under new boss Jovanovic, who extended his 100% record. Lee CarsleyIn the middle of the week.
© Imago
Victory for Greece on Sunday would see the former continental champions win five games on the spin for the first time since 2016, but Ireland head to Prayers with a spring following their own winning streak on Thursday night.
The Boys in Green progressed to a Finland side who had been beaten in both of their opening matches last month, and the Scandinavians were on course to make it third time lucky. Joel Pojanpalo opened the scoring Robbie Brady To promote the turnaround of the second half.
Assisted by the Preston North End winger Liam scalesBefore progressing with an 88th-minute winner, Ireland secured third place in the League B Group 2 stages, which will see a promotion/relegation playoff at the start of 2025.
The win over Finland marked Ireland's first win as head coach Heimir HallgrimsonAs well as a first away win in the Nations League for the Boys in Green, they never again achieved success in the competition.
Sunday's visitors were also outplayed by their hosts a month ago, falling 2-0 to Greece in Dublin thanks to two second-half goals, making it five defeats and a draw for Ireland in their previous six meetings with Greece – they have also managed to score once against the Pirates in that time.
Greece Nations League Format:
Greece Format (All Matches):
Republic of Ireland League of Nations Format:
Republic of Ireland Format (All Matches):
Group messages
© Imago
Greece head coach Jovanovic will be forced to make defensive changes for Sunday's match. Konstantinos Koulirakis – who set up Pavlidis's debut against England – picked up his second booking of the tournament and will now serve a one-match ban.
Pantelis Hatzidiakos And Panagiotis Retsos The suspended team-mate will be vying to replace him, and Liverpool are questionable at left-back Costas SimikasOn Thursday, he retired due to ill health.
In an ideal world, Jovanovic would field the same XI that stunned the Three Lions, although jellied calls may prompt the hosting manager to advertise. Dimitrios Belkas Or Petros Mantalos to the forward line.
For Ireland, Hallgrimson lost the Cardiff City defender Callum O Dauda The injury was picked up before the win over Finland, but the Boys in Green are in good health for the long trip to Braes.
The visiting manager made four changes to the team that lost last time out against Greece in Thursday's game, one of which saw Brighton & Hove Albion hotshots. Evan Ferguson Introduced in the first XI as it bids to revive its recently stalled career.
Ferguson didn't concede an early goal but otherwise struggled to carve out gilt-edged chances for himself. Adam Ida And Troy Parrott Both are alternatives for Sunday's match.
Greece's probable starting line-up:
Vlachodimos? Rota, Mavropanos, Retzos, Gianolis; Corbelis, Siopis; Mazouras, Pagasetas, Solis? Pavlitis
Republic of Ireland probable starting line-up:
Kelleher; O'Shea, Collins, Scales, Brady; Cullen, Knight; Ogbene, Azaz, Szmodics; Ferguson
We say: Greece 2-0 Republic of Ireland
With all due respect to Finland, the Scandinavian side have been leaking at the back for the last 12 months and the Greece outfit in Pires are a very different breed of fish to the boys in green.
As a result, we can only imagine Jovanovic's men making it four for four as they edge ever closer to a coveted spot at the top of the Nations League.
Please click here for data analysis of most probable results, scores and more for this match.
Previews by email
Source link
