The Football Faithful
·13 October 2024
The Football Faithful
·13 October 2024
England travel to face Finland in the UEFA Nations League this weekend, seeking an instant response to Thursday’s defeat to Greece.
The home humbling at Wembley has left England facing an uphill task to secure automatic promotion back into League A of the Nations League.
Lee Carsley’s side are second in the group, three points behind Greece at the halfway stage.
Defeat was a setback for Carsley in his second camp as England’s interim manager. Overseeing the senior side after Gareth Southgate’s decision to step down in the summer, Carsley had been the frontrunner to take the position permanently.
The 50-year-old will want to reemphasise his credentials after an experimental England side struggled against Greece last week. Finland are bottom of the group and without a point, with England heavy favourites to return to winning ways.
Carsley chose to start without a recognised centre-forward against Greece, though is expected to recall Harry Kane to the side. The England captain was not risked against Greece after picking up a knock for Bayern Munich last weekend.
Kane scored both goals as England beat Finland 2-0 during September’s international break. He celebrated his 100th cap for England with a double to down Finland at Wembley, his 67th and 68th international goals.
Finland host England at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium on Sunday 13th October 2024.
Finland v England will kick off at 5pm (BST).
For a UK audience, Finland v England will be shown live on ITV1 with live coverage starting from 4:15pm.
BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT will provide radio coverage.