Predictions Nations League - England vs Greece

Nations League - England vs Greece
Match Time: 11-10-2024 01:45 Friday (GMT+7)
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Not a single press conference or post-game interview will go by without interim boss Carsley being pressed on his prospects of taking the reins full-time, but as the 50-year-old continues to bat away such questions, he is doing his chances no harm whatsoever.

The former Republic of Ireland international witnessed two other former Republic of Ireland internationals - one senior and one junior - sink the Boys in Green in his opening game in charge, as Declan Rice and Jack Grealish got the caretaker manager off to a flying start.

Another two unanswered goals were struck past Finland a few days later, as Harry Kane celebrated his 100th England appearance in quintessential Kane fashion, but the Three Lions' pair of 2-0 victories is currently only good enough for second place.

Such a ranking would still see the Euro 2024 runners-up qualify for the promotion playoffs, but Carsley will be under no illusions that anything other than first place - and a guaranteed return to League A - would be a massive black mark next to his name.

On the other hand, the former Under-21s head coach could etch his name into England folklore as the first-ever Three Lions manager to win their first three games in charge without conceding, and the first to win their opening three overall since Fabio Capello in 2008.

Standing in Carsley's way of national team history is the side to have won more Nations League games than any other country since the tournament's inception, as Group 2 leaders Greece seek their 14th win of the tournament to move three points clear of their revered rivals.

Languishing in League C for three campaigns before earning promotion to the second tier for the 2024-25 tournament, the Pirate Ship have demonstrated their League A credentials with comfortable beatings of Finland (3-0) and Ireland (2-0) in their opening two battles.

Three of Greece's five efforts last month were struck by Panathinaikos forward Fotis Ioannidis - only Slovenia's Benjamin Sesko (four) has more across the entire 2024-25 Nations League - and the 2004 European champions are also embarking on a new era under new management.

Indeed, ex-Panathinaikos boss Ivan Jovanovic only took the reins in August as Gus Poyet's permanent replacement, and the 62-year-old now endeavours to end Greece's 12-match winless run against top-five ranked nations, a streak stretching all the way back to their Euro 2004 triumph.

David Beckham's 2001 free kick is the standout moment that springs to mind when looking back on previous meetings between England and Greece, who last faced off in a 2006 friendly, which the Three Lions won 4-0 to make it nine games unbeaten against Thursday's visitors.

Prediction:  England 2-0 Greece