England vs Ireland Prediction & Betting Tips - International Friendlies

Prediction published on 09/11/2020, 15:24  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 09/11/2020 at 16:24 in Football Predictions

England host Ireland in an international friendly and both sides could do with a confidence booster. The hosts had an up and down time during the last international break. They beat world number one ranked Belgium and then went and lost to Denmark. Their hopes of again qualifying for the Nations League finals have taken a bit hit. Even wins over Belgium and Iceland (possibly in Albania) might not see them top the group. England had been in good form before that loss to the Danes unbeaten in seven games and conceding just once. They hadn't lost a home game since being beaten by Spain in September 2018. Phil Foden is back in the squad but England will be without Danny Ings and Kalvin Phillips. Manager Gareth Southgate is likely to field a weakened team, probably similar to the kind that beat Wales in their last home friendly. With James and Maguire both suspended for the crucial game against Belgium, Southgate could experiment in his defensive line-up. 

Ireland have drawn their last six games against England. The most recent was in 2015 though and the earliest 1990. The Irish side would probably be pleased with a draw in this game as they are not in good form. While England still have hopes of winning their Nations League group, Ireland will be trying to avoid relegation to League C. They have just two points from their four games and are just a point above Bulgaria, who they play in their final group match. Ireland are without a win in their last six games and during that time they lost their European Championship play-off semi-final. 2021 could well be a rather bleak one for them. Scoring is a major problem with no goals in their last three internationals. Their away form is pretty appalling with just one win since 2017,  a run of 15 games, In that time, they have only scored five goals and the sole win was a 1-0 victory in Gibraltar. A home win for England is the confident tip.