Henry Hardwicke is predicting a low-scoring win for England in his tips for Saturday’s Nations League clash in Dublin.
Ireland host England at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening in the first competitive fixture between the two nations in 33 years.
It’s a new era for the Boys in Green with former Jamaica gaffer Heimir Hallgrimsson taking charge of his first match as Ireland manager and there is change for England too.
Lee Carsley has been put in interim charge of the Three Lions after Gareth Southgate’s departure following England’s defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024.
The Aviva stage is set for what should be an entertaining Nations League clash, and the betting expects England to leave Dublin with three points.
Carsley’s men are 1/2 for victory at the Aviva, with Ireland 5/1 chances and the draw available at 16/5.
Selections
England to win & under 2.5 goals
9/20
BTTS in neither half
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Three Lions may need time to find their stride
England begin the post Gareth Southgate era with a trip to Dublin to face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.
The Three Lions were led to two European Championship finals by the former Aston Villa and Middlesbrough defender, but all the while there was discontent around the style of play from England supporters.
Lee Carsley has promised to go on the front foot, and it remains to be seen if the 50-year-old will be handed more than two games in the top job, but it may take more time for England’s approach to be drastically different from what we have seen in recent times.
England scored only eight goals in their seven Euro 2024 matches and the Three Lions ended their qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw against North Macedonia and a 2-0 win at Wembley against Malta.
That doesn’t appear to be the form of a side that is going to run riot against Ireland, and the Boys in Green are strongest in defence.
Heimir Hallgrimsson can call on experienced performers Seamus Coleman, Matt Doherty, Dara O’Shea and Nathan Collins in defence and Ireland will surely be guarded against a top-level England side.
The Three Lions should have enough quality to break Ireland down, but playing an England victory and under 2.5 goals look the best value play on Saturday evening.
Goals unlikely to be plentiful
It will be interesting to see what Ireland can offer in attack under Hallgrimsson, but on recent evidence the Boys in Green could struggle to break England down.
Ireland have scored only four goals in their last six matches on home turf, and while there is promise from forwards Adam Idah, Evan Ferguson, Sammie Szmodics and Chiedozie Ogbene, there is little in the way of a regular international goalscorer.
England are likely to control possession, but perhaps the motivation of the Three Lions won’t peak until bigger prizes await and we may not see goals in both halves at the Aviva.
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