Lee Carsley’s six-game stint in charge of England will end as it began, with a UEFA Nations League showdown against the country he represented as a player.
The Three Lions claimed a swaggering 2-0 win in Dublin in September and it briefly looked like Carsley could be a viable long-term successor to Gareth Southgate.
The Football Association has opted for a different direction since then and Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England when they reconvene in March.
Sunday’s result at Wembley will decide whether or not those games are in qualification for the 2026 World Cup or as part of the Nations League’s promotion and relegation playoffs.
The latter would feel like an unnecessary headache given a 3-0 revenge win over Greece last time out put Carsley’s side back out in front in Group B2 on goal difference. Another victory over the Republic, who are safe from relegation, will get them over the top.
England vs. Republic of Ireland lineups, expected starting 11, team news
Carsley caused a sensation by benching England captain Harry Kane for the Greece game. Ollie Watkins responded to the faith shown by opening the scoring and the pacey Aston Villa forward does appear a more natural fit when Jude Bellingham is operating as a No. 10. However, Carsley has assured Kane he will start this one.
Curtis Jones crowned a fine international debut with a wonderful game-sealing goal and should start again in midfield, perhaps alongside Angel Gomes on this occasion.
Another of Carsley’s England Under-21 graduates, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, could get a start in defence if Manchester City duo Kyle Walker and Rico Lewis are taken out of the firing line after a hectic recent schedule.
Lewis Hall‘s debut from the bench in Greece could lead to a more sustained audition in England’s problem position of right-back. The Three Lions are far better stocked for wide attackers, although it might be time for perennial international substitute Jarrod Bowen to feature from kickoff.
England predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Pickford (GK) — Konsa, Guehi, Harwood-Bellis, Hall — Gallagher, Jones — Bowen, Bellingham, Gordon — Watkins
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford
Defenders: Kyle Walker, Rico Lewis, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento, Jarell Quansah, Taylor Harwood-Bellis
Midfielders: Conor Gallagher, Morgan Gibbs-White, Angel Gomes, Jude Bellingham, Curtis Jones
Forwards: Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins, Dominic Solanke, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke, Jarrod Bowen, Morgan Rogers
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Festy Ebosele suffered a knock during the 1-0 midweek win over Finland and will be assessed. That victory came at a cost as Jason Knight collected his second booking of the competition. The Bristol City man must sit out, with Jason Molumby favourite to come in and partner Josh Cullen in central midfield.
Troy Parrott is pushing for a start up front following a prolific start to the Eredivisie season with AZ.
Republic of Ireland (4-4-2, right to left): Kelleher (GK) — Doherty, Collins, Scales, O’Dowda — McAteer, Cullen, Molumby, Johnston — Parrott, Ferguson
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher, Mark Travers, Max O’Leary
Defenders: Matt Doherty, Dara O’Shea, Callum O’Dowda, Nathan Collins, Ryan Manning, Liam Scales, Jake O’Brien, Mark McGuinness
Midfielders: Josh Cullen, Jason Knight, Jayson Molumby, Finn Azaz, Andrew Moran
Forwards: Troy Parrott, Evan Ferguson, Mikey Johnston, Sammie Szmodics, Festy Ebosele, Kasey McAteer, Tom Cannon
England vs. Republic of Ireland live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this UEFA Nations League match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | — | Fubo, ViX |
| Canada | — | DAZN |
| UK | ITV1/STV (Scotland) | ITV Player |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| India | Sony Ten 2 | Sony LIV, JioTV |