Republic of Ireland vs Greece

Republic of Ireland’s quest for redemption after a disappointing UEFA Nations League start brings them back to Aviva Stadium in Dublin as they take on high-flying Greece.

New Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson never really stood a chance of winning his first game in charge as England eased past his team 2-0 in their opening Nations League game in Dublin at the weekend. However, the Icelandic tactician can realistically hope to flip the script against Greece, a side ranked 50 places below England. That could prove wishful thinking unless the Boys in Green can defy history and register their first win against the Greeks after five failed attempts (D1, L4), four of which saw them fail to get on the scoresheet. Another bleak attacking performance is not beyond Ireland, considering they’ve drawn a blank in seven of their last nine Nations League outings on home turf. Plus, they lost 2-0 to this opposition on this ground around a year ago in Euro 2024 qualifying.

In stark contrast to Ireland’s frustrating Nations League start, Greece got their Group B2 cycle off to a dream start, humbling Finland 3-0 on home turf on Ivan Jovanovic’s touchline debut. The former Panathinaikos manager can now become the first Greece head coach in 30 years to win his first two games in charge, and there’s plenty of optimism around the traveling camp. Indeed, the Euro 2004 winners have gone from strength to strength on their recent travels in this competition, amassing four wins from their last five Nations League road trips (L1). A tight scoreline could determine the fate of this contest, not least because Greece’s three most recent away matches in the Nations League have ended 1-0 (W2, L1).