For England, Greece is the word. In nine matches between these teams, the English have emerged triumphant on seven occasions with the other two clashes ending in draws. On top of this, the Three Lions have managed an astonishing seven clean sheets across those games.
All this being said, the teams have not actually met in 18 years. And Greece actually won a major trophy as recently as 2004 whereas England have come close in recent years but still not managed to emulate the heroics of the men in red in 1966.
The most memorable match between the sides came in 2002 when the Greeks came so close to a first win against England before David Beckham’s free kick at the death sent Old Trafford delirious and England to the 2002 World Cup. This one in the UEFA Nations League is unlikely to match that encounter for drama but it is well poised at the top of the group. Both these teams won their opening games in League B, England with a solid 2-0 win in Ireland and then a 2-0 home win against Finland. Greece managed an impressive 3-0 victory at home to Finland before also winning 2-0 in Ireland.
There was an injury scare for England captain Harry Kane during Bayern Munich’s match on the weekend but the nation’s leading goalscorer is fit enough to play against Greece. The same cannot be said for Ezri Konsa, Kobbie Mainoo and Morgan Gibbs-White, all of whom have withdrawn from the squad due to injury. In brighter news, Dominic Solanke has returned to the squad after a seven-year absence thus proving the most surefire way of getting international recognition is joining one of the country’s bigger clubs. Greece have no serious injury concerns as they attempt to break the cycle of the past.
It is hard to tell whether Lee Carsley is the permanent England manager in all but name or whether each match is part of an ongoing audition process. He certainly fits the bill of continuing in the vein of Gareth Southgate but the question remains as to whether he has what it takes to go one step further and win the World Cup or European Championships with this talented generation of players.
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England vs Greece odds
Odds from BetFair and updated as of 6 p.m. BST Wednesday.
- England win: 2/7 (-350)
- Draw: 19/4 (+475)
- Greece win: 11/1 (+1100)
Venue: Wembley Stadium — London
Time: 7:45 p.m. BST (2:45 p.m. ET), Thursday
Form guide (all competitions)
England: W-W-L-W-W
Greece: W-W-W-L-L
Match prediction
England 2-1 Greece
England’s record against Greece was immaculate even during periods where they had much less talent at their disposal than they do at this particular moment in time. At Wembley in front of their own supporters, Carsley’s side will surely have too much for the opposition.
More England reading
Lee Carsley’s England squad: Experiments, the attacking conundrum and a ruthless streak
Palmer, Kane, Watkins, Saka, Gordon, Bellingham, Foden… who starts in England’s attack?
Uncapped Curtis Jones and Tino Livramento called up to England squad
(Photo of Declan Rice: Julian Finney / Getty Images)
