England And Republic Of Ireland Predicted Lineups As Dublin Showdown Awaits

With new managers at the helm of both nations, here are our England and Republic of Ireland predicted lineups ahead of their Nations League meeting in Dublin on Saturday.

Interim boss Lee Carsley’s Three Lions take the short flight over the Irish Sea to take on Heimir Hallgrimsson’s Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

The two old rivals are joined in Nations League B Group 2 by Finland and Greece. England host the Finns on Tuesday, while Ireland play Greece in Dublin later that evening.

With England once again falling at the final hurdle of a major tournament, manager Gareth Southgate stepped down after nearly eight years in charge.

England flew under the radar, making it to the final by hook or by crook, but were eventually beaten 2-1 by Spain.

Carsley’s first job in charge of the team will be to try and achieve immediate promotion back to the top level of Nations League football.

Standing in his way is former Iceland and Jamaica manager, Heimir Hallgrimsson. The Icelandic coach was part of his nation’s famous Euro 2016 run – which included knocking out England.

Hallgrimsson is tasked with restoring pride and faith in the Irish side. John O’Shea was interim boss as Ireland beat Hungary and drew with Belgium over the summer.

But that followed a disastrous spell under Stephen Kenney, where the side won just 11 of 40 matches and failed to qualify for a major tournament, something they haven’t done since 2016.

This Dublin battle against the Old Enemy in England will be a great test for a new-look Irish side.

The Boys in Green have not beaten England since 1988. England won their last meeting in 2020, following six straight draws.

England Team News

Ex-England U21s manager Carsley has selected several of his former youth squad players. Tino Livramento, Noni Madueke, Angel Gomes and Morgan Gibbs-White all make the squad and will be hoping to earn a first senior cap.

Livramento has benefitted from the international retirement of Newcastle team-mate Kieran Trippier, as well as Ben White’s continued refusal to play for England.

England will be without some big names during this international break, though. Cole Palmer, Ollie Watkins and Phil Foden are all unavailable.

Other noteable absentees from the squad include Jude Bellingham, Ivan Toney, Aaron Ramsdale and Luke Shaw.

Republic Of Ireland Team News

Turning towards Ireland, two newcomers have been called up. Goalkeeper Max O’Leary and Leicester City’s Kasey McAteer are both in line for their first caps, though O’Leary is likely to be on the bench behind Caoimhin Kelleher.

Several veterans have been axed from Hallgrimsson’s first squad. Shane Duffy and Enda Stevens are not selected, though captain Seamus Coleman keeps his place.

Brighton’s young forward Evan Ferguson will be hoping to get over recent injury woes, and compete with the likes of Callum Robinson and Troy Parrott for the number nine shirt.

England Vs Ireland Predicted Lineups:

Republic of Ireland predicted lineup:

Kelleher; Coleman, O’Shea, Collins, Brady; Ogbene, Browne, Smallbone, O’Dowda; Ferguson, Idah

England predicted lineup:

Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Maguire, Colwill; Rice, Mainoo; Saka, Eze, Gordon; Kane