Football betting tips: Nations League
2.5pts England to win and Under 3.5 goals at 10/11 (General)
1pt England to win and Under 2.5 goals at 9/4 (Sky Bet)
1pt Harry Kane 1+ assists at 9/2 (bet365)
BuildABet @ 23/1
- England to win
- Under 3.5 goals
- Harry Kane 1+ assists
- Jude Bellingham to win 2+ fouls
- Bellingham to commit 2+ fouls
England's impressive 3-0 win in Athens means they head into their final match under the interim leadership of Lee Carsley with everything looking rosy in the garden that will soon be Thomas Tuchel's.
Beat the Republic of Ireland at Wembley and it's job done no matter the outcome of Greece's clash with Finland, meaning England will return to their rightful, spiritual home: League A of the UEFA Nations League.
There is little to suggest they won't, but the Irish won't make it easy.
What are the best bets?
There is something rather poetic about Birmingham-born Carsley both starting and ending his temporary reign against the nation he represented on 40 occasions, and having gained redemption in The City of Wisdom, he'll be determined to exorcise any remaining demons by ensuring promotion.
ENGLAND were a class apart in winning the reverse fixture 2-0, and as they were in Dublin remain too short a price for victory.
However, having seen five matches of a Carsley England and Heimir Hallgrimsson Ireland there is plenty more information to draw upon to find a sensible way to get the Three Lions onside.
Had Finland not scored a late consolation in a 3-1 defeat by Carsley's side, all of these teams' Nations League fixtures would've involved UNDER 3.5 GOALS.
- CLICK HERE to back England to win and Under 2.5 goals with Sky Bet
- CLICK HERE to back England to win and Under 3.5 goals with Sky Bet
Ireland's new manager has looked to build defensive foundations. Their first win under the former Iceland coach came via a late 2-1 victory in Finland, their only match that has not gone UNDER 2.5 GOALS.
Taking the respective 10/11 and 9/4 about ENGLAND TO WIN AND UNDER 2.5 GOALS and UNDER 3.5 GOALS at appropriately balanced stakes is therefore advised.
Keep with Kane
I'll admit to having been sick as a dog on Thursday evening when news leaked of Ollie Watkins being chosen to start instead of HARRY KANE having backed the England captain in both the goals and assists markets against Greece.
Watkins scoring after seven minutes didn't help, and Jude Bellingham (who I also backed at 11/2) hitting the post twice, with the second occasion rebounding off the goalkeeper's backside and into the back of the net, only made the things worse.
The saving grace was that an England win was also advised; scant consolation. The good news is that one of those KANE bets - 1+ ASSISTS at 9/2 - remains a runner with the Three Lions skipper surely set to start at Wembley.
When the Bayern Munich striker came on in Athens, he was heavily involved, providing an important link with his team-mates.
Kane has provided an ASSIST in three of his last four club appearances, and seven this season, by playing a similar role, an adjustment from last term when he assisted only 12 goals all campaign.
At odds-on to score, that market is best avoided.
Team news
England are awaiting further news on the knock that forced Ezri Konsa off at half-time against Greece, with Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis a potential replacement after Kyle Walker was used as an emergency centre-back in the second half in Athens.
The rest of the squad is fit and available, with Lewis Hall and Harry Kane pushing to start following their substitute appearances. Angel Gomes, Jarrod Bowen and Morgan Rogers could also come in.
Ireland could make several changes with Jason Knight suspended and Festy Ebosele having limped off during the second half against Finland.
Jayson Molumby is expected to come in to central midfield, with either Kasey McAteer or Finn Azaz replacing Ebosele. Troy Parrott is also pushing to start up front.
Predicted line-ups
England: Pickford; Walker, Harwood-Bellis, Guehi, Hall; Gomes, Gallagher; Madueke, Bellingham, Rogers; Kane.
Ireland: Kelleher; Doherty, Collins, Scales, O'Dowda; McAteer, Cullen, Molumby, Johnston; Szmodics, Ferguson.
Match facts
- England have won their last two matches against the Republic of Ireland, beating them 3-0 in November 2020 and 2-0 in September this year. They have never won three in a row against Eire before.
- Republic of Ireland won their first away match against England back in September 1949 at Goodison Park; since then, all seven of their games in England have been at Wembley and they’ve won none of them (D3 L4).
- England are unbeaten in their last 41 matches in all competitions when they’ve netted the opening goal (W38 D3) since losing 2-1 to Czechia in October 2019 in a UEFA European Championship qualifier.
- England have lost three of their last five games at Wembley (W1 D1), as many as they had in their previous 50 combined (W39 D8 L3). It’s only the third time the Three Lions have lost three games at the national stadium in a single year, along with 1977 and 1981, but have never lost four in one year.
- Republic of Ireland have won two of their last three UEFA Nations League matches (L1), as many as they’d won in their first 18 games in the competition combined (W2 D6 L10).
- Curtis Jones scored on his England debut against Greece in the last UEFA Nations League match – the last player to score in his first two England caps was Rickie Lambert in 2013, while the last Liverpool player to do so was Roger Hunt in 1962/63.
- 20-year-old Evan Ferguson has scored four goals in 17 caps for the Republic of Ireland – the only Ireland players with more goals before turning 21 are Robbie Keane (7) and David Connolly (6).
- Jude Bellingham’s 39 caps have all been while playing for non-British clubs (24 for Borussia Dortmund, 15 for Real Madrid). He is now level with Owen Hargreaves for England caps won while playing for non-British teams, with only David Beckham winning more (55).
Odds correct at 1400 GMT (15/11/24)
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