Ireland vs England prediction: EUROPE: UEFA Nations League – League B betting tips on match 2024-09-06 16:00.
[p]The start of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League brings with it a new era for both Ireland and England, who each appointed new managers ahead of this battle of the British Isles. In the Irish hotseat is Heimir HallgrĂmsson, the Icelandic coach who jointly managed his home nation when they famously eliminated England from Euro 2016, just days after the English public knocked themselves out of Europe with the Brexit vote. [/p]
[p]Fast forward to the present and the former dentist now has the job of turning Irish fortunes around after the nation stagnated on the international stage, with most of their wins across the last couple of years coming against the likes of Malta, Gibraltar, and Armenia (W6, D2, L10). It could yet get worse before it gets better for Ireland, who have failed to defeat  England in any of the last seven meetings, albeit with six stalemates therein (L1).[/p]
[p]England’s new era begins after Gareth Southgate left his post following defeat in what was an unprecedented second consecutive European Championships final appearance this summer. Former U21 boss Lee Carsley takes the reins for the first time against the nation he represented as a player 40 times during his playing career, whilst he was also in talks with the Irish FA prior to HallgrĂmsson’s appointment. [/p]
[p]The Three Lions are preparing for their first season in League B after failing to win a game during their League A campaign of 2022/23 (D3, L3). That means they’ll have to wait until at least the next campaign to challenge for their first finals appearance since 2019, although they’ll be fully expectant of an immediate return to the top flight given that they’re ranked at least 50 places higher (#4) than any other Group B2 side by FIFA. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Sammie Szmodics could be set to play his first competitive international for Ireland after his stunning 2023/24 season with Blackburn earned him a Premier League move – eight of his last nine scoring appearances saw him net his team’s opener. For England, Eberiche Eze made a last ditch effort to grab some international minutes with his equaliser against Chelsea last weekend, which was his fifth straight goal to arrive after half-time. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: England scored just once across their last five UEFA Nations League away games (D2, L3). [/p]
[p][i]Written by Matthew Billon[/i][/p]