England vs Republic of Ireland predicted lineups and team news | OneFootball

Lee Carsley began his position as interim manager of England with a 2-0 win over Ireland in September and he will take charge for the last time when the Three Lions take on the same opponents in the Uefa Nations League at Wembley on Sunday at 5pm (UK time).

With Thomas Tuchel set to take the reins next year, Carsley oversaw a comfortable 3-0 win for England against Greece on Thursday — a result that has put them on the brink of promotion back to League A in the Nations League.

As for Ireland, they head into their final match in Group B2 knowing they will finish third and drop into the relegation play-offs regardless of their result in London.

There were goals for Ollie Watkins and Curtis Jones against Greece in Athens and Carsley could give some fringe players minutes at Wembley given the squad’s lengthy list of absentees.

Promotion beckons for rotated England squad

England’s interim boss Carsley came under fire for his ultra-attacking approach in England’s 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley in October. But just over one month later, the former England U21s boss saw his side put the same opposition to the sword in a thrilling 3-0 win.

Watkins was picked to start ahead of England captain Harry Kane in a bold move by Carsley but the Aston Villa man repaid the faith shown in him with a goal after just seven minutes. An own goal from Greece goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos made it 2-0 to England after 77 minutes before debutant Curtis Jones wrapped up victory with a neat back-heel finish six minutes later.

That result puts England level with Greece on 12 points in Group B2 but the Three Lions are ahead given their superior goal difference across the two meetings between the nations.

A win over Ireland will be enough to secure promotion back to League A for England and would ensure Tuchel’s first games in charge are not in the promotion play-offs but are instead World Cup qualifiers.

The stakes are therefore high on Sunday and England will once again have to call on a handful of second-string players to get them over the line.

England vs Ireland team news

Bayern Munich ace Kane was dropped for England’s trip to Greece with Watkins starting up top for the Three Lions. However, Carsley has confirmed that he will start with Kane up-front in Sunday’s match at Wembley. The England squad is still looking a little light following the withdrawal of Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jack Grealish and Aaron Ramsdale prior to the Greece match.

Ezri Konsa came off at half-time against Greece and remains doubtful for this match.

Ireland remain without Chiedozie Ogbene and Robbie Brady, while Seamus Coleman, Shane Duffy and Adam Idah also withdrew from the squad recently. Evan Ferguson scored the winner in their 1-0 triumph over Finland on Thursday and he is expected to start up top again alongside Sammie Szmodics of Ipswich Town.

England vs Ireland predicted line-ups