Ireland vs England preview: Free betting tips, odds, predictions and how to watch Saturday’s Nations League clash

ENGLAND and the Republic of Ireland kick-start new eras in Saturday's 2024-25 Nations League opener at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

SunSport betting experts have previewed the contest and selected the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.

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Ireland vs England preview

It's been 55 days since England suffered heartache in the 2024 European Championship final.

And quite a bit has changed since then.

The Three Lions head into a brand new Nations League campaign without Gareth Southgate in charge for the first time since Sam Allardyce oversaw a 1-0 win over Slovakia in September 2016.

England are still without a permanent manager, but interim head coach Lee Carsley will hope to impress against both the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

There's also several new faces in the squad, including Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, Noni Madueke, Tino Livramento and Angel Gomes.

Many expect a shift in styles with Carsley promoting a brand of fluid, attacking and high-risk football.

That style, dubbed 'Carsball', helped England's Young Lions to win the European Under-21 Championship for the first time in nearly 40 years when beating Spain.

As for hosts Republic of Ireland, they are also at the beginning of a new era.

Heimir Hallgrimsson will take charge of the Republic of Ireland for the first time, and some will remember that he was in joint charge of Iceland when they knocked England out of EURO 2016 with a 2-1 win.

When is Ireland vs England?

• Ireland vs England will take place on Saturday, September 7
• It is scheduled to kick off at 17:00pm BST
• The encounter will take place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin

What TV channel is Ireland vs England on and can it be live streamed?

• Ireland vs England will be broadcast LIVE on ITV1
• The Nations League encounter can also be live-streamed for free via the ITVX app
• Alternatively, SunSport will have minute-by-minute coverage of the whole match

What is the team news?

There's been a fair amount of change since the squad was announced. Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins have all withdrawn from Lee Carsley's first squad over the past week.

Jude Bellingham, Ivan Toney, Luke Shaw and Aaron Ramsdale are also absent along with Kieran Trippier (retirement), Kyle Walker and Ben White.

Uncapped quartet Tino Livramento, Noni Madueke, Angel Gomes and Morgan Gibbs-White could all feature, while the staples like Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice should all start.

Legendary right-back Seamus Coleman looks set to win his 73rd international cap this weekend, but NINE players who featured in June's matches have all been omitted.

What are the odds for Ireland vs England?

• Ireland 6/1 with William Hill -

• Draw 3/1 with William Hill -

• England 4/9 with William Hill -

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

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Ireland vs England betting tips and predictions

Eze-y money

Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze has enjoyed an excellent start to the campaign. The 26-year-old has struck two goals in four appearances - and should of had a third were his stunning free-kick not chalked off.

Only Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo can better Eze's 15 attempts at goal this season - which is more than Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka.

• Eberechi Eze to score at 27/10 with William Hill -

Mr Assist

With Chelsea's Cole Palmer out, Bukayo Saka looks the most likely to provide an assist this weekend.

The Arsenal winger, 23, has already registered three assists for his colleagues in the opening three matches of the season - and boasts the second-highest xA (expected assists) in the entire division (2.33).

In total he's created eight chances with 42 passes in the opposition's final third and 33 touches in the opposition penalty area, which is more than any other Premier League player.

• Bukayo Saka to provide an assist at 3/1 with William Hill -

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