Greece vs England LIVE: Team information and build-up as Harry Kane benched for must-win Nations League conflict
England travel to Greece for a must-win clash in the Nations League tonight. Following a defeat at Wembley to the same opponents the Three Lions must triumph in Athens if they hope to automatically qualify for promotion.
Interim boss Lee Carsley takes charge of the national side for his final camp and will be hoping for a positive end to his time in charge of the senior side.
Carsley has already handed out a number of debuts during his time in charge and could yet give an opportunity to six uncapped members of the squad including Curtis Jones, Lewis Hall and Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
With quite a few players including Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka pulling out due to injury expect a somewhat unfamiliar looking line-up for tonight’s game with the defence and midfield in particular getting a shake up.
Follow all the action from the Nations League with our live blog below as England take on Greece:
Five losses in 2024?
This will be England’s 16th game of 2024, only ever playing more games in 1966 (17), 2018 (17) and 2021 (19) – the Three Lions have lost four times this calendar year however, only losing more times in 1981 (five).
Fortress Athens
Greece have gone 286 minutes without conceding at home since Youssouf Fofana netted for France in November last year, their longest run on home turf without their opponents netting since going 617 minutes between February 2012 and October 2013.
Anthony Gordon keen to finally work with Thomas Tuchel after failed Chelsea move
Anthony Gordon cannot wait to finally work with Thomas Tuchel having been desperate to join England’s new boss when he was managing Chelsea.
The 23-year-old has established himself in the national team set-up since making his debut in March, building on his impressive performances for Newcastle.
Gordon made a big-money switch to St James’ Park from Everton in January 2023 having gone close to joining Chelsea the previous summer.
England on the road
England are unbeaten in their last seven away games (W5 D2), their longest such run on the road since 12 games in a row between March 2013 and October 2015 under Roy Hodgson.
Three Lions have good memories in Greece
England have won on all four of their previous trips to face Greece by an aggregate score of 9-1, only holding a better win-rate away from home against Luxembourg (5/5).
Greece are on the longest active winning run of any European nation in all competitions (five games) and could win six consecutive matches for the first time November 2013.
Can Greece win again?
Greece went winless across their first nine meetings with England in all competitions (D2 L7) before winning 2-1 at Wembley last month.
The only teams to beat the Three Lions twice in the same calendar year are Wales in 1936, Italy in 1973, Belgium in 2018 and Hungary in 2022.
Carsley benches Kane again
“For the second time, Lee Carsley has fielded a team without Harry Kane against Greece.
“This time by choice, however: while Kane criticised the players who stayed away, he has turned up and been rewarded with a place on the bench.
“A penny for his thoughts right now.”
Anthony Gordon reveals all on failed Chelsea move: ‘It was quite close, to be honest’
Anthony Gordon has revealed he was “desperate” to play for Thomas Tuchel when the next England manager tried to sign him in 2022 and can’t wait to link up with him on international duty.
Gordon eventually joined Newcastle instead in January 2023, four months after Chelsea had sacked Tuchel, and the 23-year-old has gone on to earn 10 England caps under Gareth Southgate and Lee Carsley.
England ready for Greece
England team changes
Lee Carsley makes eight changes to the team that started against Finland in England last outing.
The players that remain are Kyle Walker, March Guehi and Jude Bellingham.
Jordan Pickford returns in goal while Ezri Konsa and Rico Lewis fill out the rest of the defence. In midfield Curtis Jones starts alongside Conor Gallagher in the holding roles with Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke on the wings.
Ollie Watkins starts up front in what is easily the biggest talking point as Harry Kane begins the match on the bench.
