A new era begins for England this Saturday as they take to the field for the first time without Gareth Southgate since 2016.
The former Three Lions boss departed after leading the nation to another European Championship final over the summer, but defeat to Spain has seen former Under-21s boss Lee Carsley replace him in the Wembley dugout for the time being.
Carsley begins his reign – however long or short – with a clash against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday in League B of the UEFA Nations League. England were relegated from League A back in 2022/23 after a dismal campaign which included being hammered 4-0 by Hungary.
Ireland and England have a long history on the pitch but haven’t faced one another since 2020, when the latter came out 3-0 victors in an international friendly. They haven’t duelled in a competitive fixture since 1991.
Here is 90min’s guide to Ireland vs England in Dublin this weekend.
Heimir Hallgrimsson has named his first 23-man Ireland squad for clashes with England and Greece in the Nations League, with Evan Ferguson and Seamus Coleman both cleared to feature after recent injury issues.
Leicester City‘s young winger Kasey McAteer has been included and Cardiff City’s Callum Robinson, Sunderland’s Alan Browne and West Brom’s Jayson Molumby have all returned to the squad. New Ipswich Town signing Chiedozie Ogbene and Brentford’s Nathan Collins are back, too.
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is absent through injury but Liverpool‘s Caoimhin Kelleher is available. New Everton recruit Jake O’Brien has been selected in defence and two more new Ipswich boys, Dara O’Shea and Sammie Szmodics, are also involved as expected.
Ireland predicted lineup vs England (4-4-2): Kelleher; Coleman, O’Brien, Collins, Brady; Ogbene, Browne, Smallbone, Szmodics; Idah, Ferguson.
Carsley has included some eye-catching names in his first England squad, including Chelsea‘s Noni Madueke, Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Lille star Angel Gomes. Newcastle United right-back Tino Livramento could be handed a senior debut, too.
However, talisman Jude Bellingham is missing through injury, while the trio of Ollie Watkins, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden have all withdrawn from Carsley’s set-up with issues.
Carsley has made it clear he views Trent Alexander-Arnold as a right-back and he’s likely to feature with Kyle Walker and Reece James absent. Kobbie Mainoo and Declan Rice should set up in midfield and skipper Harry Kane will undoubtedly lead the line.
England predicted lineup vs Ireland (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Guehi, Colwill; Mainoo, Rice; Saka, Eze, Grealish; Kane.
It’s difficult to predict what Carsley’s England will look like but it should be a relatively straightforward first test for the former Everton midfielder. Ireland have been in patchy form and are also at the start of a new era, with goals having been particularly hard to come by in recent internationals.
Carsley has worked wonders with the Under-21s and knows a number of England’s current senior squad from their time at youth level. That should offer him an advantage heading into his opening encounter, with a clean sheet and a fairly comfortable win on the cards.
