Softfootball provides a comprehensive preview of Thursday’s UEFA Nations League Group B encounter between Greece and England, covering predictions, team news, and projected lineups.
Also Read: Match Report: Finland 1-3 England – Nations League
England heads to Athens with a point to prove, hoping to avenge their 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley in October. With only two games left, this match holds major implications for both teams’ aspirations in League B Group 2.
Match Preview
England will look to turn the tables on Greece when they clash at the Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis on Thursday in a high-stakes Nations League fixture. After a surprise 2-1 defeat to the Greek side last month — capped by a last-minute winner from Vangelis Pavlidis — the Three Lions are determined to gain redemption and edge closer to League A promotion.
The game also marks a new chapter for England with Thomas Tuchel appointed as head coach following Gareth Southgate’s departure. However, Tuchel will not assume full managerial duties until January, leaving interim manager Lee Carsley in charge for England’s final two group games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
Carsley’s experimental team selection contributed to the earlier loss against Greece, but the Three Lions showed resilience by bouncing back with a 3-1 victory over Finland. Currently ranked fourth in the world, England sits second in Group 2, just three points behind Greece. A win by a two-goal margin on Thursday could see them leapfrog Greece at the top of the standings on goal difference.
Historically, England has enjoyed success in Greece, winning all four previous visits by a combined score of 9-1. Their confidence will be bolstered by a recent record of two-goal-margin wins in Nations League away games against both Finland and Ireland.
Greece’s Stellar Campaign Under Jovanovic
Since Ivan Jovanovic took over as head coach in August, Greece has been a force in the Nations League, winning all four of their League B matches with nine goals scored and only one conceded. This unbeaten run has Greece on the brink of League A promotion for the first time.
After beating both Finland and Ireland without conceding a goal, Greece claimed their first-ever win over England at Wembley in October. They later secured a 2-0 victory over Ireland, with goals from Anastasios Bakasetas and Petros Mantalos, preserving their perfect League B record.
With one of the league’s most consistent home records — winning eight and drawing two of their last 11 home Nations League games while keeping nine clean sheets — Greece heads into Thursday’s match with confidence. A win over England would cement Greece’s top spot in the group, though even a draw would secure their advancement based on head-to-head results.
Team News and Lineups
Greece Team News
Greece will be without midfielder Dimitrios Kourbelis due to yellow card accumulation. Head coach Jovanovic may deploy either Petros Mantalos, Christos Zafeiris, or Sotiris Alexandropoulos alongside Manolis Siopis in midfield.
Newcastle’s Odysseas Vlachodimos is expected to start in goal, while Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas and West Ham’s Konstantinos Mavropanos are set to lead the defense. Pavlidis, who scored twice against England in their last encounter, is likely to start up front, though Fotis Ioannidis, who has three goals in this Nations League campaign, is also available after returning from injury.
Greece Predicted Lineup:
Vlachodimos; Rota, Mavropanos, Koulierakis, Tsimikas; Siopis, Mantalos; Masouras, Bakasetas, Tzolis; Pavlidis
England Team News
England’s squad has been hit by injuries, with Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, and Aaron Ramsdale all unavailable. Additional absences include John Stones, Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Eberechi Eze.
As a result, Morgan Rogers, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and Lewis Hall have received their first senior call-ups, while Jarrod Bowen, Jarrad Branthwaite, Valentino Livramento, and James Trafford were also drafted in.
Kyle Walker is in the squad but is a fitness concern, leaving right-back duties open to either Livramento or Ezri Konsa. In midfield, Lille’s Angel Gomes could join Conor Gallagher, while a front line featuring Noni Madueke, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, and captain Harry Kane should help England create scoring opportunities.
England Predicted Lineup:
Pickford; Walker, Konsa, Guehi, Lewis; Gomes, Gallagher; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Prediction
With promotion on the line, England needs a win in Athens to keep their hopes alive, but Greece’s defensive resilience and form make them a tough opponent on home soil. Despite missing several star players, England’s depth could still give them the edge. If Carsley fields a strong lineup, particularly with Kane in the attack, the Three Lions might just manage a narrow victory in what promises to be a fiercely contested match.
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