England vs. Greece: Team News & Starting Lineups
The stage is set for a crucial clash in Euro 2024 qualifying as England welcomes Greece to Wembley Stadium. Both teams enter the match with different objectives, with England aiming to maintain their perfect record, while Greece seeks to secure a vital victory.
This encounter promises to be an intriguing encounter, with both sides possessing unique strengths. As fans eagerly anticipate the action, here's a breakdown of the latest team news and potential starting lineups for this exciting match:
England Team News:
Gareth Southgate's men have enjoyed a resounding start to their qualifying campaign, winning all three matches convincingly. The Three Lions will be looking to carry this momentum into the Greece encounter, but they face a few injury concerns.
Key Injury Updates:
- Bukayo Saka is likely to miss the match due to a groin injury sustained in Arsenal's recent win. His absence is a blow to England's attacking options.
- Raheem Sterling is also a doubt for the match, with a knock sustained in Chelsea's previous game.
- Reece James remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, meaning he will not be available for selection.
Despite these injury concerns, England boasts a strong squad with plenty of depth. Southgate will be relying on his established stars to deliver a commanding performance and secure a victory.
Greece Team News:
Greece has had a mixed start to their qualifying campaign. They secured a crucial win against Gibraltar in their opening match but fell to a narrow defeat against France in their subsequent encounter.
Key Injury Updates:
- Kostas Manolas is expected to miss the match with a thigh injury. His absence weakens Greece's defensive line.
- Andreas Bouchalakis has a slight knock and will be assessed before the game.
- Konstantinos Fortounis is available for selection after recovering from a minor injury.
With a number of key players returning from injuries, Greece will be hoping to cause an upset at Wembley. However, they face a daunting task against a formidable England side.
Potential Starting Lineups:
England (4-3-3):
- Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
- Defense: Kieran Trippier, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw
- Midfield: Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden
- Attack: Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford
Greece (4-2-3-1):
- Goalkeeper: Odysseas Vlachodimos
- Defense: Konstantinos Mavropanos, Dimitris Siovas, Panagiotis Retsos, Konstantinos Tsimikas
- Midfield: Giorgos Masouras, Petros Mantalos, Giorgos Tzavellas
- Attack: Tasos Bakasetas, Georgios Giakoumakis
Key Tactical Considerations:
- England's attacking prowess: England will likely rely on their fluid and creative attacking style to break down Greece's defense. The likes of Rashford, Kane, and Grealish will be crucial in creating scoring opportunities.
- Greece's defensive resilience: Greece will need to be disciplined and organized in defense to frustrate England's attacking threat. They'll be looking to absorb pressure and exploit any defensive vulnerabilities to hit on the counterattack.
The match between England and Greece promises to be an intense battle with both teams seeking a positive result. The team news and potential lineups reveal a fascinating tactical battle that fans will be eagerly awaiting. With England's dominance at home and Greece's tactical discipline, this match has all the ingredients to be a compelling encounter.