Nations League Matchday Three: England vs Greece Betting Odds & Tips

by Luke Andrews, 9 October 2024

Join Luke Andrews as he explores the upcoming Nations League showdown between England and Greece. This in-depth analysis covers recent form, head-to-head stats, and the latest betting odds to give you the edge in your betting decisions. Can England’s home advantage and attacking firepower break through Greece’s solid defence, or will Greece continue their strong run at the top of the group?

As Matchday Three of the UEFA Nations League rolls in, one fixture stands out: England vs Greece. England, eager to bounce back from League A relegation, faces the current group leaders, Greece. Both sides have shown impressive form so far, making this a pivotal clash in their race for promotion.

Will England’s home advantage and star-studded squad be enough to overcome Greece’s defensive resilience, or can the Greeks maintain their position at the top? This match promises to deliver high-stakes action with significant implications for the final standings.

England’s Recent Form: A Closer Look at Their Last Two Matches

England enters this clash with Greece in top form, having secured back-to-back victories in their opening Nations League Group B2 fixtures.

Their campaign began with a confident 2-0 win away to the Republic of Ireland. England started strongly, with Declan Rice opening the scoring in the 11th minute after a blocked shot from Harry Kane fell kindly to him. Jack Grealish doubled the lead in the 26th minute, latching onto Rice’s pass and finishing calmly. England dominated the first half, playing with confidence and energy. Although Ireland posed some threat early on, England controlled proceedings and never looked back, securing three points in a lively atmosphere in Dublin.

🗣️ "I was feeling back to myself"

Declan Rice reacts after scoring for England in their 2-0 Nations League win over the Republic of Ireland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/5cJhXSgkhk

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 7, 2024

Three days later, England hosted Finland at Wembley, winning 2-0 once again, with Harry Kane stealing the spotlight on his 100th cap. The game remained goalless in the first half, with Finland frustrating England through a compact defence. However, in the 57th minute, Trent Alexander-Arnold set up Kane, who fired a powerful strike to break the deadlock. England gained momentum from there, and Noni Madueke delivered the assist for Kane’s second in the 76th minute. The match showcased England’s resilience and attacking quality, as they overcame a stubborn Finland defence to make it six points from six.

These wins put England in a strong position, with two clean sheets and four goals in two matches, highlighting both their defensive solidity and attacking prowess ahead of their meeting with Greece.

Greece’s Recent Form: A Closer Look at Their Last Two Matches

Greece has been in excellent form in the Nations League, winning both of their Group B2 matches so far.

They kicked off their campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over Finland on September 7th. The match saw Fotis Ioannidis open the scoring in the 23rd minute, followed by a second goal through a Boris Källman own goal just before halftime. Greece continued to control the game, and Ioannidis capped off a fine performance with his second goal in the 76th minute, assisted by Anastasios Bakasetas. Greece’s defence remained solid, limiting Finland to just one shot on target, as they comfortably took all three points at home.

RTÉ soccer analyst Stephen Kelly was highly critical of Matt Doherty's defending for the second Greek goal in Ireland's 2-0 defeat at the Aviva Stadium. #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/ZrqMNYdtGn

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 10, 2024

After Finland, Greece travelled to Dublin, where they secured a hard-fought 2-0 win against the Republic of Ireland. After a goalless first half, Fotis Ioannidis continued his fine form, breaking the deadlock five minutes into the second half with a well-taken strike, once again assisted by Anastasios Bakasetas. Ireland pushed for an equaliser but was hit on the counter late in the match, with Christos Tzolis scoring the second goal in the 87th minute to seal the win. Greece’s defensive discipline and clinical finishing made the difference as they secured their second consecutive clean sheet and another three points.

These results place Greece in a strong position at the top of Group B2. They have scored five goals without conceding, making them formidable opposition as they head into their clash against England.

England v Greece Latest Betting Odds and Match Predictions

As England prepares to take on Greece in this crucial Nations League fixture, the betting markets are heating up with a range of enticing options. Both teams come into the match with strong form, making this an exciting opportunity for punters. England has showcased their defensive resilience, while Greece has been clinical in front of goal, creating an intriguing clash of styles. Here are five betting suggestions, along with detailed reasoning.

England to Win to Nil Odds: 6/5 Reasoning: England’s defensive record has been impressive, with two clean sheets in their first two Nations League matches. With Greece likely to focus on containment rather than an all-out attack, England’s superior defence, led by Marc Guéhi and John Stones, should be able to prevent Greece from scoring. Combine that with England’s attacking options, and a win without conceding looks likely.

Harry Kane Anytime Scorer Odds: 12/5 Reasoning: Harry Kane has been in excellent form, netting twice in England’s 2-0 win over Finland. As England’s top scorer, Kane is a constant threat in front of goal, and given his role as the focal point of their attack, he is always a solid bet to score, especially against a Greek defence that has yet to face a forward of Kane’s calibre in this campaign.

Both Teams to Score – No Odds: 4/7 Reasoning: Both teams have been defensively solid, with neither side conceding in their first two Nations League games. England’s controlled possession and Greece’s deep-lying defensive approach suggest that this could be a low-scoring affair, with Greece struggling to create clear chances against a well-organised England backline.

Under 2.5 Goals Odds: 10/11 Reasoning: With England’s pragmatic approach under interim manager Lee Carsley and Greece’s tendency to stay compact and limit opposition chances, this game could be tight. Greece’s last two matches have seen only one team score, while England has played patient, methodical football in their recent outings, making under 2.5 goals a sensible bet.

First Goal to be Scored Between 31-45 Minutes Odds: 11/4 Reasoning: Greece is expected to sit deep early on, frustrating England’s attackers, much like Finland did in their recent clash. However, as Greece tires, England’s sustained pressure will likely lead to a breakthrough before halftime. This bet allows for Greece’s resistance to hold out for the first half hour before England’s superior quality prevails.

Based on both teams ‘ recent form and tactical setups, these bets provide a balanced combination of value and likelihood. Whether you’re looking for safe options or higher-risk stakes with bigger returns, this match offers plenty of opportunities for smart bets.

In what promises to be a thrilling encounter, England vs Greece is set to be a pivotal fixture in the Nations League, with both teams riding on the back of impressive form. England’s solid defensive performances and Greece’s clinical finishing suggest a tightly contested match with high stakes. Whether England’s attacking prowess led by Harry Kane can break down Greece’s resilient defence, or if Greece continues their perfect record, remains to be seen.

With these betting tips, punters can expect a match full of tactical intrigue and potential value across various markets at the best football betting sites.