MX23RW : Sunday, December 22 16:18:46| >> :600:111477:111477:

A look at how England, Scotland, Wales, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland could fare in the UEFA Nations League

A look at how England, Scotland, Wales, ROI and NI could fare in the UEFA Nations League
© Reuters
What did the opening fixtures of the Nations League tell us about hopes ahead?

The opening rounds of the new Nations League campaign brought mixed fortunes for England, Scotland, Wales, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at how the countries may fare based on their first two fixtures.

England

Gareth Southgate's side produced a low-key opening to their first international games since football was halted by the coronavirus pandemic.

It took a late Raheem Sterling penalty to beat Iceland 1-0 on Saturday, which was followed by a laboured goalless draw away to Denmark – a match overshadowed by Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood being sent home for breaching the squad's bio-secure bubble while in Reykjavik.

England managed only two attempts on target in Copenhagen on Tuesday night, with captain Harry Kane rounding the goalkeeper late on only to see the ball hacked off the line.

However, maximum points from their opening two League A Group Two games would have papered over the tactical problems for which Southgate must find swift answers before Belgium visit Wembley next month – by when the England players should be a bit sharper after some more action with their clubs.

Scotland

Whisper it softly, but Scotland have some momentum on their 11-month unbeaten run.

Steve Clarke's men did not exactly fire on all cylinders, with a 1-1 draw against Israel at Hampden Park followed by a 2-1 win over a scratch Czech Republic side thrown together at just 48 hours' notice after a coronavirus crisis.

Nevertheless, Scotland are a point clear of the Czechs at the top of the standings in League B Group Two – and have their focus firmly on taking that form into next month's crunch Euro 2020 play-off semi-final against Israel.

Wales

Wales manager Ryan Giggs saw his side win both of their League B fixtures
Wales manager Ryan Giggs saw his side win both of their League B fixtures (David Davies/PA)

Wales are also on a role under Ryan Giggs.

Sunday's 1-0 win over Bulgaria in Cardiff was a fourth straight victory, having also seen off Finland in Helsinki.

Next up is a friendly against England at Wembley in October, before Wales will be looking to make it three wins out of three in League B Group Four when they travel to the Republic of Ireland.

Republic of Ireland

New Republic manager Stephen Kenny saw his first competitive games end on a low with a 1-0 home defeat by Finland following the 1-1 draw in Bulgaria.

But for a late header from captain Shane Duffy in Sofia, it could easily have been successive defeats for the former under-21s boss.

However, after having only a couple of days to work with the full senior squad, Kenny is confident the players will reconvene a much sharper group when they gather again to prepare for their own Euro 2020 play-off semi-final against Slovakia in Bratislava on October 8.

Northern Ireland

Being turned over 5-1 at home by Norway's marauding front line was hardly ideal preparation for Northern Ireland's upcoming Euro 2020 qualifying play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ian Baraclough had been appointed to replace Michael O'Neill during April, with his first match being a 1-1 draw against Romania in Bucharest.

However, only a late header from Cardiff midfielder Gavin Whyte secured a first ever Nations League point – which also was down to some heroics from young Burnley goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

The Green and White Army, though, can now look to produce their battling best again for the trip to Zenica – where victory would see them secure a home tie against Slovakia or the Republic of Ireland for a shot at next summer's Euro 2020 finals.

ID:413588: cacheID:413588:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:23253:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Argentina's Diego Maradona lifts the World Cup trophy after helping his team to the 1986 title
Read Next:
A look at players sent home from international duty
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Lions
@
Bears
6pm
Browns
@
Bengals
6pm
Patriots
@
Bills
6pm
Titans
@
Colts
6pm
Giants
@
Falcons
6pm
Rams
@
Jets
6pm
Cardinals
@
Panthers
6pm
Eagles
@
Washington
9.05pm
Vikings
@
Seahawks
9.25pm
49ers
@
Dolphins
9.25pm
Jags
@
Raiders
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!