MX23RW : Sunday, October 6 14:13:37| >> :600:425139:425139:
[monks data]
Republic of Ireland national football team
Nations League | League B
Sep 10, 2024 at 7.45pm UK
Aviva Stadium
Greece national football team

Rep. Ireland
0 - 2
Greece


Omobamidele (31'), Knight (70')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Ioannidis (50'), Tzolis (87')
Tsimikas (58'), Tzolis (63'), Siopis (74')

Preview: Republic of Ireland vs. Greece - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Nations League clash between Republic of Ireland and Greece, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Republic of Ireland return to the Aviva Stadium three days after a humbling defeat to England to face Greece in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday night.

In Heimir Hallgrimsson's first game in charge, Ireland were outplayed by their neighbours from across the Irish Sea and are already playing catch up in League B Group 2.


Match preview

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson on September 7, 2024.© Imago

Many fans and neutrals will have underlined Ireland vs. England as one of the standout games of this Nations League campaign, in what was a first competitive meeting in over three decades.

Ireland were largely disappointing though, as England cruised to a 2-0 win in Dublin, and in a nightmare scenario for the Irish supporters, it was the two most unpopular people inside the Aviva Stadium who got the goals.

Declan Rice, who switched allegiance to England after representing Ireland in friendlies, and Jack Grealish, an Irish youth international, scored the first-half goals to put the game out of reach early on.

Had it not been for the heroics of Caoimhin Kelleher in the second half, the scoreline could have been much uglier for the Irish too, as the Liverpool stopper was on hand to keep England at bay numerous times in the second half.

That extended Ireland's run to nine defeats in 14 matches, with only three of those ending in victory, two of which came against Gibraltar.

Another defeat at home here would make relegation a very likely outcome, with trips to Wembley and Athens unlikely to end favourably.

After three straight third-place finishes in League B groups, Ireland's imminent future in the second tier could be under threat unless Hallgrimsson can make an immediate impact against the less powerful sides in the group.

That starts with Greece, but Ireland's recent record against their upcoming visitors is far from ideal, with one draw and four defeats in the five encounters between the two nations.

Their only previous competitive meetings came last year in Euro 2024 qualifying, as Greece came out on top in both, including winning 2-0 here in Dublin.

Greece celebrate Fotis Ioannidis's goal on September 7, 2024© Imago

Greece would go on to fall at the final hurdle in their attempts to reach a first major tournament in a decade, losing to Georgia in the playoff final on penalties.

That major disappointment saw Gus Poyet relieved of his duties and replaced by Ivan Jovanovic, who made the perfect start in charge by beating Finland 3-0 on Saturday.

The new manager made a few big calls with his team selection, but it paid off, most notably starting Fotis Ioannidis up front instead of Benfica's Vangelis Pavlidis, as the Panathinaikos striker netted a brace.

After needing three attempts to make it out of League C, Greece are now in the second tier for the first time, and could make the perfect start ahead of a tricky test against England in October.

Republic of Ireland Nations League form:


Republic of Ireland form (all competitions):


Greece Nations League form:


Greece form (all competitions):



Team News

Greece's Odysseas Vlachodimos reacts on June 7, 2024 [IMAGO]© Imago

Ireland captain Seamus Coleman is set to miss this encounter after hobbling off with a foot injury following a collision with Harry Maguire on Saturday.

Coleman's Everton teammate Jake O'Brien could be the man to come in if Hallgrimsson sticks with a three-at-the-back system, slotting in as a more orthodox central option.

Evan Ferguson made his first appearance for club or country since March, but a lack of match fitness may see him only start as a substitute again.

As many as seven of the starters who lost to Greece last October could play some part in this one, but Josh Cullen will not, as the Burnley midfielder is currently sidelined through injury.

Jovanovic surprised everyone by choosing Ioannidis over Pavlidis at the weekend, but his two-goal performance should see him retain his place up front for Greece.

Anastasios Chatzigiovanis was another surprise inclusion considering he has barely featured for Eyupspor so far this season, and after being subbed at half time, he could drop to the bench here, with Christos Tzolis and Giannis Konstantelias the candidates to replace him.

Despite not playing at club level, Odysseas Vlachodimos retained his place in goal ahead of young Olympiacos stopper Konstantinos Tzolakis in the win over Finland, and that clean sheet should see him start again.

Many regulars were left out by the new manager though, as there was no place in the squad for Dimitris Kourbelis after his move to Saudi Arabia, and for defensive trio George Baldock, Panagiotis Retsos and Giorgos Kyriakopoulos.


Republic of Ireland possible starting lineup:
Kelleher; Doherty, O'Brien, Collins, O'Shea, Brady; Molumby, Smallbone; Ogbene, Idah, Szmodics

Greece possible starting lineup:
Vlachodimos; Rota, Mavropanos, Koulierakis, Tsimikas; Mantalos, Bouchalakis, Bakasetas; Konstantelias, Ioannidis, Pelkas


SM words green background

We say: Republic of Ireland 0-1 Greece

If Greece want any chance of competing with England for promotion, home and away wins against both Ireland and Finland are likely going to be necessary.

The visitors should come in as slight favourites given their impressive win on Saturday and a strong recent record against Ireland, while the hosts will need to pick themselves up after an underwhelming display against England.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




ID:552495:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect13277:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Rep. Ireland vs Greece

Republic of Ireland
19.6%
Draw
16.4%
Greece
64.0%
189
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson on September 7, 2024.
Read Next:
'England exposed our weaknesses': Hallgrimsson reacts to Rep of Ireland defeat
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
2.30pm
Jets
@
Vikings
6pm
Panthers
@
Bears
6pm
Ravens
@
Bengals
6pm
Colts
@
Jags
6pm
Dolphins
@
Patriots
6pm
Bills
@
Texans
6pm
Browns
@
Washington
9.05pm
Cardinals
@
49ers
9.05pm
Raiders
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Packers
@
Rams
9.25pm
Giants
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS

League A1

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Portugal Portugal22006
2 Croatia Croatia21013
3 Poland Poland21013
4 Scotland flag Scotland20020

League A2

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Italy Italy22006
2 France France21013
3 Belgium Belgium21013
4 Israel Israel20020

League A3

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Germany Germany21104
2 Netherlands Netherlands21104
3 Bosnia Bosnia H'vina20111
4 Hungary Hungary20111

League A4

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Denmark Denmark22006
2 Spain Spain21104
3 Serbia Serbia20111
4 Switzerland Switzerland20020

League B1

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Albania national flag Albania00000
2 Czech Republic Czech Republic00000
3 Georgia Georgia00000
4 Ukraine Ukraine00000

League B2

TeamPWDLPTS
1 England flag England00000
2 Finland Finland00000
3 Greece Greece00000
4 Ireland Rep. Ireland00000

League B3

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Austria Austria00000
2 Kazakhstan Kazakhstan00000
3 Norway Norway00000
4 Slovenia Slovenia00000

League B4

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Iceland Iceland00000
2 Montenegro Montenegro00000
3 Turkey Turkey00000
4 Wales flag Wales00000


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!