England kick off their latest international break with a friendly against the Republic of Ireland. We look at the main talking points with best bets.
England v Republic of Ireland
- Thursday 20:00 GMT on ITV
- Match odds: Home 3/10 | Draw 19/5 | Away 17/2
Grealish to carry on good form?
Jack Grealish has been a controversial subject when it comes to the England senior team given how he has been constantly overlooked despite a number of good performances for Aston Villa in the Premier League.
The attacking midfielder could well get a start here though and, on current form, more than deserves the opportunity. He has scored four goals and assisted a further five in seven league appearances so far.
Given how Grealish isn't a starter under Gareth Southgate, and England's competitive fixtures coming up here, he should see near enough 90 minutes and the 15/8 on a goal anytime with Sky Bet looks generous based on what we have seen from him so far.
He played 76 minutes of England's friendly with Wales last month where he grabbed an assist in a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Best bet: Jack Grealish to score anytime at 15/8
Jude Bellingham makes big impression
Jude Bellingham is in line to become the third-youngest England player in history after being drafted into Gareth Southgate’s squad, with the “fantastic” 17-year-old talent quickly making an impression on Tyrone Mings and his other new team-mates.
Injuries to Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Ward-Prowse meant an early change to the Three Lions squad facing crunch Nations League matches against Belgium and Iceland after Thursday’s friendly against the Republic of Ireland.
Bellingham was promoted from the Under-21s as a result of the withdrawals, having followed up last season’s outstanding displays at boyhood club Birmingham since his summer move to German giants Borussia Dortmund.
The teenager’s inexorable rise shows no signs of abating and the midfielder could become the third-youngest player in the Three Lions’ history should he feature against Ireland on Thursday aged 17 years and 136 days.
Only Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott would have represented the senior side at a younger age, with Aston Villa defender Mings already impressed by a talent forged by the blue half of the city.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” the centre-back said. “I get surprised every time I get called up so I’m not necessarily sitting here surprised when other people get called up.
“But I’ve had the opportunity to see him in training over the last couple of days and what a fantastic talent he looks.
“I know he’s from the blue side of Birmingham, but I’ve got no problem in admitting what a fantastic player he is and what a fantastic lad he seems.
“For someone who’s achieved so much in his career in such a short space of time, he seems to be very grounded and very humble, so I wouldn’t say that I was surprised, no.
“But I think it’s a huge occasion for him and I don’t think it should be overshadowed by what should or shouldn’t have happened. I think it’s a fantastic occasion.
“I remember my first call-up. I was a lot older than him but I remember the feelings I had surrounding that so I think fair play to him.”
No hard feelings for Horgan
Daryl Horgan insists he has no hard feelings over former Republic of Ireland team-mate Declan Rice’s defection to England.
The two men could be on opposing sides at Wembley on Thursday evening, having played together for Ireland in friendlies against Turkey and the United States in 2018 before the West Ham midfielder, having made three non-competitive appearances, opted instead to represent his native England.
Rice’s decision did not go down well in certain quarters, but while Horgan questioned the system which allowed him to change allegiance, he bears no lasting grudges.
The Wycombe midfielder said: “Look, we all know how good a player he is; he’s a very talented guy.
“It’s one of those – he should never have been in that position in the first place. There should be stricter rules so that if you play a friendly, then that’s that.
“But the position presented itself, he was born in England, has lived in England all his life. I can understand it.
“It’s disappointing from our point of view because he’s a very, very good player, but I wouldn’t hold it against him.
“He’s a young guy and he probably felt the option would never be there, so it presented itself and he made the decision. And he’s having a great career – and I’m sure he’ll have a great career for the foreseeable future.”
Coleman salutes ‘inspiring’ England forward Rashford
Seamus Coleman has saluted Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford for his campaign to feed hungry children.
The two men could be on the same pitch on Thursday evening when England host the Republic of Ireland in a friendly at Wembley, and the Everton full-back is full of praise for a man who has become a household name off the pitch as well as on it.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the 23-year-old frontman on Saturday to confirm that the Government had performed a U-turn and decided to fund free meals for disadvantaged youngsters over the Christmas holidays, belatedly answering his call to do so.
Asked about the England forward’s efforts, Ireland skipper Coleman said: “I think it’s clear, anyone who has been following it. He’s only a young lad himself and to be taking that on his shoulders and to genuinely, sincerely want to be making a difference, it’s a massive credit to him and I think it’s something that he should be applauded for highly.
“He comes across as a very grounded young footballer, a very talented footballer as well. On the pitch, he’s a top-class talent, a very dangerous footballer, but what he’s doing off the pitch, it’s inspiring for all players in the Premier League to dig in and get involved and help in any way you can with whatever causes that you want to encourage.
“I think Marcus has done a remarkable job. He deserves all the credit in the world for it, and fair play to him.”
Odds correct at 1725 GMT (11/11/20)
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