Greece and Ireland are set to clash in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday, October 13, at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus. The Greeks are riding high after their historic 2-1 victory over England at Wembley, a match that saw Vangelis Pavlidis score both goals, including the winner in stoppage time.
Greece’s form has been impressive, with four consecutive wins, including three in the Nations League. They are currently three points clear of England at the top of Group B2. Coach Ivan Jovanovic‘s side has been solid, particularly in defense, having not conceded a goal in their last four matches.
Ireland, on the other hand, secured their first win under new coach Heimir Hallgrimsson by beating Finland 2-1 in Helsinki. Despite this victory, Ireland’s recent record against Greece is not encouraging, having lost all three meetings since June 2023.
The match is expected to be a low-scoring affair, with both teams likely to adopt defensive strategies. Greece is known for its defensive prowess, and Ireland may focus on reducing the threat near their goal rather than pushing for a win. Predictions suggest a total of fewer than 2.5 goals, with Greece favored to win to nil.
In terms of team news, Greece will be without defender Konstantinos Koulierakis due to a suspension, while Kostas Tsimikas may miss out due to illness. For Ireland, striker Evan Ferguson may be replaced by Adam Idah or Troy Parrott.
Given the current form and recent head-to-head records, it is reasonable to anticipate a Greek victory, possibly with a clean sheet. The odds favor Greece, with a win priced at 7-10, while Ireland is at 4-1 and a draw at 21-10.
