ENGLAND versus Greece on home soil naturally evokes a much cherished memory from the Three Lions’ canon.

On October 6^th, 2001, Old Trafford was having palpitations as Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men desperately sought an equalizer that would see them automatically qualify for the World Cup. In the 93^rd minute, with mere seconds to spare, David Beckham floated in a wondrous free-kick and a nation erupted, in relief as much as ecstasy.

If that is always a pleasant recollection to indulge in it’s what preceded Beckham’s heroics that makes it relevant to what might transpire on Thursday evening at Wembley.

Amidst the annoyance and frustration, the watching millions couldn’t help but admire Greece’s game-plan and execution that so nearly brought a shock result. They were supremely well organized. Comfortable and clever in possession. In addition to the two goals they scored, there were other chances created too.

Granted, the ‘Ethniki’ were hardly minnows, but nor were they major players in international football. It was therefore expected that England would routinely prevail, with genuine surprise shown at the opponent’s resilience.

Incidentally, a handful of Greek players in Manchester that afternoon started the Euro final three years later, as this sparsely populated country carved out a slice of history.

Now, of course, nobody is suggesting that Ivan Jovanovic’s side should be backed for any forthcoming major tournament success, but two decades on it would be folly for us to fall into the same trap again and under-estimate their capabilities.

Like England, they are two games in under new management, and like the Three Lions, they have started their new era off with two victories, both to nil. It is Greece however who currently top Group B2, having scored an additional goal.

It is at the back though where they truly impress, and this has historically been the case.

In shutting out Finland and Ireland, Jovanovic has extended on an excellent defensive blueprint laid out by his predecessors Gus Puyet and – briefly – Nikos Papadopoulis and Greece now boast 14 clean sheets in their last 25 outings. Pertinently, across that long period that stretches back to the start of 2022, they have only lost once by more than a single goal margin. Defeats to France, Holland and Germany have been narrow, games of attrition.

They may be deprived of their star striker Fotis Ioannidis via injury but we can certainly expect a minimum of Greece being exceedingly hard to break down in North London.

Go for under 2.5 goals total at 10/11

Which, frankly, could be just what this present incarnation of England needs after easily deconstructing Ireland’s flawed press and comfortably seeing off the Finns last month.

Right now is a time for optimism regarding the national side, with supporters delighting in seeing Lee Carsley’s mandate take quick effect. From his two auditions so far to secure the gig full-time, his team has generally impressed, playing on the front foot throughout and always looking to be progressive in possession.

From virtually the same ingredients Gareth Southgate used, Carsley has knocked out two exciting dishes, not just beans on toast.

But perhaps a challenge is needed at this juncture, something to tell us that bit more and it will fascinating to see how the interim boss responds should this contest be goalless an hour in. A renowned problem solver from the dug-out, what we can rule out are like-for-like substitutions and more of the same.

Concerning that opening hour, Cole Palmer is expected to start in the number 10 role, a position that gets the best out of the player who is once again posting phenomenal figures this term for Chelsea.

To date, the 22-year-old has scored or assisted every 54 minutes in 2024/25. No Premier League player has a greater number of goal involvements going back to the start of last season.

If Palmer has the wherewithal to seriously trouble Greece’s stoic rearguard single-handedly – and he does – he will likely be accompanied in the final third by Anthony Gordon on the left and Bukayo Saka on the right.

There are conflicting reports meanwhile on the fitness of Harry Kane but he should be okay. Let’s hope so, with the Bayern hit-man finding his range from the off this season.

Already, England’s record goal-scorer has reached double figure across all comps in Germany.

Back Palmer to score or assist at 13/10

Carsley then irrefutably has an attacking armoury that can find a way this week, against stubborn opposition. Subsequently, a tight win for the hosts is fancied.

Looking elsewhere, when assessing the last five competitive fixtures of each side, we find that England are no longer the corner kings they once were. Indeed, their crown has slipped quite dramatically with a meagre 3.6 won per 90 going back to their Euro quarter final against Switzerland.

As for cards, though Greece are hardly serial sinners, their 2.6 per game trumps England’s almost saintly 1.6.

We’ve had so many things of late to focus on regarding our national side that their superb disciplinary record has been over-looked.

Back England full-time, England under 5.5 corners, and Greece most cards at 3/1

And so to Finland on Sunday, a game that could see Carsley make a handful of changes, not least by bringing in Levi Colwill for Rico Lewis at left-back, while Jude Bellingham could feature if sharpness allows.

Four weeks ago the Huuhkajat brought their broken wares to Wembley and though they created a couple of promising opportunities – ultimately let down by atrocious decision-making – and though they held out for 57 minutes, their limitations were there for all to see.

A shot taken on every four minutes by England tells of their dominance on the night and we can expect a similar narrative to play out in Helsinki.

Winless in five, Finland have shipped in three goals per 90 in that bleak period.

Back full time England, no to BTTS, and over 2.5 goals at 19/5

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