Finland vs England LIVE: Nations League group information and line-ups as Lee Carsley faces Ollie Watkins dilemma

A reminder of a number of the different dwelling nations outcomes from the previous few days.

Wales let a two-goal lead slip as Iceland stormed again to power a deserved 2-2 Nations League attract Reykjavik.

Brennan Johnson maintained his exceptional scoring streak and Harry Wilson was additionally on the right track as Wales established a commanding interval benefit.

However Iceland substitute Logi Tomasson turned the sport within the house of three second-half minutes as Wales have been unable to stem a blue tide surging in the direction of them.

Lee Carsley has a considerably simpler job as interim boss of the Three Lions, with England in B2. They have been cruising after two wins from two, although that loss to Greece has put the Three Lions in second place with six factors, three behind the Greeks, with the reverse fixture going down in November.

England actually ought to high the group and earn promotion again to League A – however Eire, in the identical group, have misplaced each their matches up to now. Finland and Greece are video games they want factors from however they’re away in each this time round.

For England, they’d an opportunity to check out just a few extra unfamiliar faces and even established faces in several roles, as Carsley has already hinted at – however that seemingly failed in opposition to Greece, and the overarching purpose stays promotion.

For that, retaining a 100 per cent file will for the remainder of the marketing campaign is a necessity now actually, with the Three Lions needing three factors in opposition to Greece within the return fixture in Athens.

The Nations League takes centre stage as soon as extra this week because the worldwide break returns and nations throughout the continent enter aggressive matches as soon as extra, of a vogue a minimum of.

Whereas Uefa’s latest worldwide journey nonetheless divides opinion – and seriousness in group alternatives, maybe – this season’s model does include the standard backup qualifying spots for the following main worldwide males’s match, on this case the 2026 World Cup.

In follow which means the 4 finest group winners from the Nations League who don’t end within the high two in World Cup qualifying teams will earn one other shot at reaching USA, Mexico and Canada, by means of the playoffs. Right here’s the place England, the house nations and the remainder of the foremost nations stand as we head into match rounds three and 4.

After being opened up on the again on common events by Greece, modifications to the defence look inevitable.

Kyle Walker may come again in at right-back, Marc Guehi is anticipated to return at centre-back with Levi Colwill probably switching to left-back.

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is anticipated to maintain the goalkeeper’s shirt, however will likely be beneath scrutiny after a chaotic show in opposition to Greece.

Finland are the bottom ranked group within the group and have been the whipping boys, having misplaced their opening three video games.

England have by no means misplaced to them, although they have been held to a goalless attract Helsinki 24 years in the past when Howard Wilkinson was caretaker supervisor earlier than Sven-Goran Eriksson’s appointment.

Defeat for the Finns would put them getting ready to relegation to League C, however they’re dreaming huge.

Coach Markku Kanerva mentioned: “We all know it’s going to be an enormous problem for us to attempt to get a win or get a degree. However surprises can occur, and we imagine in that.”

‘Carsball’ in query

Carsley’s determination to deploy 5 attackers with out an out-and-out striker backfired in opposition to Greece, leaving England rudderless with out the ball and toothless with it in an alarming all-round show.

The interim supervisor pledged to stay together with his attack-minded method, however a extra acquainted system will likely be in place in Helsinki.

“In all probability received’t attempt that once more on Sunday,” Carsley mentioned. “I’ve coached sufficient to know we have to do one thing completely different. Had Harry been match I might need gone down one other route.”

Interim England boss Lee Carsley expects a response to the deflating defeat to Greece as he returns to a “extra typical” system in opposition to Finland.

The Euro 2024 runners-up’s hopes of securing promotion again to the highest tier of the Nations League acquired a blow on Thursday as Greece secured a late, however totally deserved, 2-1 victory at Wembley.

Boos met the ultimate whistle after Carsley’s experimental method backfired, with the choice to deploy 5 attackers with out an out-and-out striker leaving them imbalanced and disjointed.

Interim boss Lee Carsley has revealed he didn’t formally apply to turn out to be everlasting England supervisor.

Carsley has often sidestepped questions on whether or not he desires to turn out to be England boss on a full-time foundation, together with saying he’ll “hopefully” be returning to his function with the under-21s.

When is Finland v England?

The Nations League match takes place at this time, Sunday 13 October, with kick-off at 5pm BST on the Helsinki Olympic Stadium.

Finland v England will likely be broadcast reside on ITV1 and STV in Scotland. Viewers can stream the match reside through the ITVX app and web site, and on the STV Participant.

England should react with a extra convincing efficiency and Carsley will certainly discover a higher steadiness on this match, with an orthodox striker like Ollie Watkins set to steer the road.