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On Thursday evening, the spotlight turns to Athens, where Greece will host England at the Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis in a pivotal League B Group 2 encounter in the UEFA Nations League. England, still reeling from their shock defeat in the reverse fixture last month, will be aiming for revenge and a crucial three points in their pursuit of group supremacy.

Match Preview

England’s Quest for Redemption

The Three Lions enter this fixture with plenty to prove after a surprising 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley in October. That night, Vangelis Pavlidis emerged as the hero for the visitors, netting twice, including a dramatic last-minute winner. This time, England will have to contend with the passionate Greek supporters at the historic Olympiako Stadio.

The game marks the first match since the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as England’s new head coach, although he won’t take official charge until January 2025. Interim boss Lee Carsley remains at the helm for now, tasked with leading England through their final two Nations League fixtures, starting with this tricky away tie against Greece.

Despite their shock loss to Greece, England bounced back with a strong 3-1 victory over Finland, demonstrating their resilience. Ranked fourth in the world by FIFA, the Three Lions currently sit second in the group, trailing Greece by three points. A victory by at least two goals would see them leapfrog the Greeks on goal difference, setting up a thrilling finale against Ireland in their final group game.

Greece’s Perfect Run and Strong Home Form

Greece, under the guidance of Ivan Jovanovic, have enjoyed a stellar Nations League campaign so far. The Blue and Whites have won all four of their group matches, conceding just once and scoring nine goals. Their remarkable form includes a historic first-ever win against England at Wembley, a testament to their newfound resilience and tactical acumen.

Greece’s perfect start to their maiden League B campaign has propelled them to the top of the group, and they stand on the brink of securing promotion to League A. A win on Thursday would guarantee their place at the summit, while even a draw could suffice if Belgium fail to defeat Italy.

The home side’s strong form is backed by an impressive defensive record, keeping clean sheets in nine of their last 11 Nations League home matches. With a passionate home crowd behind them, Greece will be confident of extending their unbeaten run and clinching a memorable victory over England.

Team News

Greece: Injuries and Suspensions

Greece will be without midfield stalwart Dimitrios Kourbelis, who is suspended after accumulating too many yellow cards. Head coach Jovanovic could turn to either Petros Mantalos or Christos Zafeiris to fill the void in midfield. Newcastle United’s Odysseas Vlachodimos is expected to start in goal, while Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas and West Ham’s Konstantinos Mavropanos are set to feature in defence.

Vangelis Pavlidis, who netted a brace in the reverse fixture, is likely to continue leading the attack, although Fotis Ioannidis is back from injury and could provide a potent alternative. The hosts have never lost a match when Ioannidis has found the back of the net, a good omen if he features.

England: A New Look Under Carsley

England’s squad has been hit hard by injuries and withdrawals, with key players like Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, and Declan Rice unavailable. John Stones, Harry Maguire, and Luke Shaw are also missing from the defensive line-up. New call-ups Morgan Rogers, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and Lewis Hall could all see action as interim manager Carsley looks to experiment.

Captain Harry Kane, fresh off another stellar season, will lead the line, supported by Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, and Noni Madueke in the attacking roles. The absence of Rice may see Lille’s Angel Gomes partner Conor Gallagher in midfield, offering a fresh dynamic for the Three Lions.

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Predicted Lineups

Greece Possible Starting XI:
Vlachodimos; Rota, Mavropanos, Koulierakis, Tsimikas; Siopis, Mantalos; Masouras, Bakasetas, Tzolis; Pavlidis

England Possible Starting XI:
Pickford; Walker, Konsa, Guehi, Lewis; Gomes, Gallagher; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane

Prediction

This match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams highly motivated and in strong form. Greece have shown impressive resilience and tactical discipline under Jovanovic, especially at home, where they have been almost unbeatable in the Nations League. However, England’s attacking depth, despite their injury woes, should give them the edge in this encounter.

Goal.mu/Mauri.bet predicts:
Greece 1-2 England

Both Teams to Score: Yes
Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over 2.5
Hotstat: England have scored in all of their last 10 away matches across all competitions.

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