Adam Scriven’s best bets for England and Ireland’s final Nations League clash include a one-sided win for the Three Lions with their captain finding the net.
England will be looking to wrap up promotion to League A of the Nations League when they welcome the Republic of Ireland to Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
The Three Lions defeated Greece 3-0 in the penultimate round of fixtures on Thursday to move top of Group B2 and Lee Carsley’s side know a victory at home to the Irish will secure the number-one spot and a return to the top tier of the competition.
England to win 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 @ 6/5
Harry Kane anytime goalscorer @ 5/6
Noni Madueke anytime goalscorer @ 7/4
England to secure League A return
There was dismay after England’s 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley in October, but successive victories over Iceland and the Greeks have given the Three Lions control of Group B2 once again.
But the job isn’t done for Carsley’s troops just yet, as any slip-up against Ireland would give Greece the chance to overhaul them, and that should focus the minds of the Three Lions heading into Sunday’s contest.
Although faced with multiple withdrawals prior to the Greece victory on Thursday, England put in an accomplished display and the icing on the cake was the clean sheet recorded.
It was the Three Lions’ third shutout in the 2024/25 Nations League and their first since a 2-0 home success over Finland at the start of September, so that will have instilled confidence into a new-look backline.
Ireland arrive following a 1-0 success over Finland, who they also beat in the reverse fixture, but Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side have struggled when coming up against better opposition.
The Irish lost 2-0 to Greece both home and away, while they also went down by the same scoreline at home to England, and a similar result could be in the offing at Wembley.
Ireland have shown greater desire and determination since the arrival of Hallgrimsson and they are unlikely to be blown away here, so backing the hosts to win either 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 looks like a solid play.
Kane to get in on the goals
Harry Kane was named on the bench for Thursday’s win over Greece, a decision Carsley says the England captain took very well, and the interim boss has confirmed the skipper will start Sunday’s clash.
The Bayern Munich star has been in excellent scoring form again this season, netting 17 times in all competitions, and he will be eager to add to the brace he grabbed against Finland in September.
Back in the starting line-up and raring to go, Kane can make a statement and show he is still England’s talisman by finding the back of the net.
Madueke to notch first senior international goal
Another potential goalscorer for England could be Noni Madueke, who provided the assist for Ollie Watkins in Thursday’s victory over Greece and looked threatening throughout.
The Chelsea star’s pace and trickery made him a regular outlet down the right side and he could cause havoc against an Irish defence who have not kept a clean sheet in their last four away fixtures.
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