It's almost exactly 23 years since England last took on Greece in a competitive international, with David Beckham scoring a rather famous free-kick at Old Trafford that afternoon.
England vs Greece Preview
Will England continue their perfect start to this Nations League campaign? Last month, in Lee Carsley's first match in charge, the Three Lions swatted aside the Republic of Ireland in Dublin, with Declan Rice and then Jack Grealish, the two players who'd both previously donned a green shirt, on target at Lansdowne Road, just as if someone had scripted it.
Three days later at Wembley, it was Harry Kane's night, as the captain was presented with his 100th cap before kick off, proceeding to score both goals as England downed Finland, again prevailing 2-0. Having been relegated from League A two years ago, the Three Lions are targeting instantaneous promotion back to the Nations League's top-tier, a more than achievable feat, and another victory here would represent a big step towards achieving that objective.
Although, at kick off, it's Greece who sit top of Group B2 by virtue of goal difference, having also collected maximum points in September. First, Fotis Ioannidis' brace saw them smash Finland 3-0 in Piraeus, before Ioannidis again and Christos Tzolis got the goals during a 2-0 victory in Dublin.
The Blues and Whites are currently enduring a down period, failing to qualify for any of the last five major tournaments, their longest draught since the '80s, and spending the first three editions of the Nations League rooted down in League C.
However, under Gus Poyet, they finally claimed promotion from the third-tier before, earlier this year, reaching the Euro 2024 play-off finals, heartbreakingly missing out on a place in Germany following a penalty shootout defeat at the hands of Georgia in Tbilisi.
The following morning, Poyet's contract expired and Ivan Jovanović is now in charge, the eighth permanent head coach to take over during their ongoing, decade-long major tournament exile. There are 41 different national teams Greece have faced six or more times, with England the only one of those they've never beaten, losing seven of nine previous encounters.
The pair will clash again in Athens in a mere 35 days time, but can Greece claim an historic victory at Wembley, or will England prove to be simply too strong? The latter seems significantly more likely.
England vs Greece Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 9
- England Wins: 7. Draws: 2. Greece Wins: 0.
England vs Greece: Last 5 Meetings
- 16 August 2006 - England 4-0 Greece: International friendly
- 6 October 2001 - England 2-2 Greece: World Cup qualifier
- 6 June 2001 - Greece 0-2 England: World Cup qualifier
- 17 May 1994 - England 5-0 Greece: International friendly
- 8 February 1989 - Greece 2-1 England: International friendly
England Team News
With this fixture taking place on Thursday, Lee Carsley won't have long to prepare. First and foremost, Ezri Konsa, Kobbie Mainoo, and Morgan Gibbs-White all withdrew on Monday due to injuries. Meantime, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham are all back in, after missing the September fixtures, so it begs the question; how do England get all their best players in the team?
Captain Harry Kane is expected to be fit, despite hobbling off against Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday, while Dominic Solanke is hoping to feature, having been called up for the first time since winning his solitary cap all the way back in November 2017. With no obvious left-back available again, Rico Lewis is set to see more minutes there, while Marc Guéhi is likely to partner John Stones in the middle.
England predicted lineup vs Greece: (4-1-4-1): Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Guéhi, Lewis; Rice, Bellingham, Palmer, Saka, Foden; Kane.
England Player to Watch vs Greece
Never before in his six-year England career has Trent Alexander-Arnold started three internationals in a row, a fact that will change on Thursday night, with the Liverpool full-back on of the obvious beneficiaries of Carsley's more free-flowing style of football.
Greece Team News
Nine players started both of Ivan Jovanović's first two matches in charge last month, so expect minimal changes here too. Defenders Konstantinos Mavropanos and Kostas Tsimikas as well as goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos will be familiar faces to Premier League observers. Fotis Ioannidis' three goals in two games in September, taking his tally to five for his country, all coming in the last 12 months, will see him keep his place up front, flanked by the other scorer in Dublin Christos Tzolis, formerly of Norwich City.
Greece predicted lineup vs England: (4-2-3-1): Vlachodimos; Rota, Koulierakis, Mavropanos, Tsimikas; Mantalos, Siopis, Chatzigiovanis, Bakasetas, Tzolis; Ioannidis.
Greece Player to Watch vs England
Anastasios Bakasetas is the captain and talisman, set to win his 70th cap at Wembley. The 31 year old Panathinaikos attacking midfielder has 15 international goals to his name, only nine men in the 97-year history of the Greek national team can boast more, previously on target during noteworthy draws with both Spain and France, hoping for something similar in North London.
England vs Greece Prediction
We're expecting a comfortable England victory, akin to those the Three Lions enjoyed in September. Greece were beaten, without scoring, in both Paris and Eindhoven last year, showing they struggle against top-tier opposition, while this England team is overflowing with attacking talent, which should be too much for the Greeks to handle: England 2-0 Greece.
England vs Greece FAQs - UEFA Nations League
How to watch England vs Greece UEFA Nations League game on TV channel?
England vs Greece UEFA Nations League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: ITV1
- USA: fuboTV and Fox Sports 2
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch England vs Greece UEFA Nations League game on live streaming?
England vs Greece UEFA Nations League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: ITVX
- USA: Foxsports.com, ViX and FOX Sports App
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for England vs Greece in the UEFA Nations League?
England vs Greece takes place on Thursday 10 October 2024, with kick off at 19:45 (BST), 14:45 (ET) & 11:45 (PDT).