England will host neighbors Republic of Ireland in their UEFA Nations League fixture league on 12th November. Alley Sport brings you the match preview, team news, and score prediction for the most exciting match out of the upcoming international football fixtures.
England vs Ireland match preview (International football fixtures)
The UEFA Nations League is a competition that replaces International friendlies and allows International teams to play against equally matched teams, divided into 4 hierarchical ‘leagues’. England are in League A, and sit 3rd in their group, trailing second-placed Denmark on goal difference. The Three Lions have 3 matches remaining and need to finish at the top of their group in order to play in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals next summer.
For that to happen, England must win their match against Republic Ireland. Their next two fixtures after that are comparatively tougher as they face Belgium and Iceland. England will be looking for their first win against the Republic of Ireland in 35 years.
Ireland on the other hand are yet to win any of their 4 matches in League B. The Irish have nothing but pride to play for in their last 3 fixtures as they have no chance of winning their group, but as we have seen in the past, having pride at stake is all the Irish team needs to pull off an upset.
With both nations situated next to each other on the British Aisles, sharing a long and often conflicting history, the match is expected to be a fiery encounter. The two teams last met in 2015 when the game ended in a 0-0 draw, and this will be Republic of Ireland’s first Wembley trip since 2013 when they secured a 1-1 draw against England.
International football fixtures: England vs Ireland Team News
England will be playing Ireland for the first since three of their players changed their nationality from Irish to English. Declan Rice, Michael Keane and Jack Grealish are all English internationals now.
Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin is sure to get a start after impressing heavily this season, scoring 12 goals in 11 matches. Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish are also expected to feature, while Harry Maguire and Chelsea right-back Reece James will be suspended. Jordan Pickford may finally be dropped after an atrocious showing again as Everton lost to Manchester United. Nick Pope or Dean Henderson may deputize for the Everton stopper.
Premier League strikers Shane Long, David McGoldrick, and Callum Robinson will all be in contention to start for Ireland. The Irish have had a steady centre-back pair of Enda Stevens and Shane Duffy and are expected to start with the pair again, With Spurs full-back Matt Doherty also starting. In goal, Darron Randolph will start again while Jeff Hendrick and Robbie Brady remain the only two certain starters in Ireland’s midfield.
International football fixtures: England vs Ireland Match Prediction
England’s record vs Republic of Ireland (Last 6 games): D-D-D-D-D-D
The English last beat the Irish in 1985, more than 35 years ago. With enough firepower in attack and steel in defence, the three Lions will comfortably roll over the Irish, who will play against England without their famous support from the stands. We predict a 2-0 win for England.
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