What Are England’s Chances of Gaining Promotion Back to League A of the Nations League?
After poor performances in the last Nations League tournament, England finished bottom of their group (which included Germany, Italy, and Hungary) and was relegated to League B.
While much has been made of England’s improved performances in the World Cup and European Championships, relegation from League A was a big blow.
Now, under interim manager Lee Carsley, England are set to begin their quest to return to the top level of this relatively new competition.
The Three Lions have been drawn into Group B2 of the 2024/25 Nations League competition alongside Finland, Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
So with a new manager, and a squad with a quartet of new faces, what are England’s chances of earning promotion back to the top league by winning their group?
Nations League Group B2
All six fixtures in Nations League Group B2 will be played from September through to November 2024 and over those three months, England’s fate will depend on how they perform in the following six matches:
- Matchday 1 – 7th September – Republic of Ireland v England
- Matchday 2 – 10th September – England v Finland
- Matchday 3 – 10th October – England v Greece
- Matchday 4 – 13th October – Finland v England
- Matchday 5 – 14th November – Greece v England
- Matchday 6 – 17th November – England v Republic of Ireland
Lee Carsley’s First England Squad
New interim manager Lee Carsley has named his first England squad for the first two matchdays in this tournament.
There are four new faces in the squad for the first time, Angel Gomes (Lille), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest) and Tino Livramento (Newcastle United).
Several other players, including goalkeeper Nick Pope, defender Harry Maguire and striker Jack Grealish, have been recalled to the squad.
Of those that featured in the Euro 2024 squad last summer, Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez, Ivan Toney, Adam Wharton and Aaron Ramsdale have been left out. Kyle Walker and Jude Bellingham are injured and unavailable, while Kieran Trippier has announced his retirement from international football.
- Goalkeepers – Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope.
- Defenders – Trent Alexander-Arnold, Levi Colwill, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Rico Lewis, Tino Livramento, Harry Maguire, John Stones.
- Midfielders – Phil Foden, Conor Gallagher, Morgan Gibbs-White, Angel Gomes, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice.
- Attackers – Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Jack Grealish, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka, Ollie Watkins.
Should England Win This Group?
Comparing the quality of this England squad with those of the Republic of Ireland, Finland and Greece, then yes, England should win this group comfortably. Questions will certainly be asked if they fail to gain promotion back to League A.
In truth, England should go through this campaign unbeaten and win the majority, if not all, of their games.
Bet365 has them as low as 1.083 to win the group, with Finland and Greece the next best options at 14/1.
England’s stay in the Nations League B should be a short one, but in the crazy world of football, you can never be sure when the next surprise result will come.
