How to Watch Greece vs Ireland in the UEFA European Championship Qualification Match

The Republic of Ireland will travel to Greece to play a European Championship qualifying match on June 16, 2023. Both sides will need maximum points from their encounters with heavyweights France and the Netherlands if they want to stand a chance of reaching Euro 2024 in Germany. Greece has already won three points after defeating Gibraltar in their opening match. However, Ireland suffered a narrow defeat to France in their first game and will be looking for a win against Greece.

The game will be played at the Agia Sophia Stadium in Athens and will kick off at 14:45 pm EDT. The hosts could come out with a victory as the Greece boss Gus Poyet described it as a “must-win” match for both teams.

Poyet will look to captain Tasos Bakasetas for leadership from the midfield, and Liverpool left-back Kostas Tsimikas will be expected to cause problems for Ireland with his overlapping runs. Sheffield United‘s George Baldock declared for Greece in 2022 and has been a key player for them, making seven appearances, while former Arsenal defender Dinos Mavropanos should start at the back.

Upfront, Poyet will have a decision to make, whether to go with AZ’s Vangelis Pavlidis, Atlanta United‘s Giorgos Giakoumakis, or last season’s Eredivisie top scorer Tasos Douvikas. Here’s a predicted Greece XI: Vlachodimos; Tsimikas, Mavropanos, Chatzidiakos, Baldock; Mantalos, Siopis, Bakasetas; Pelkas, Masouras; Douvikas.

Meanwhile, few surprises are expected when Ireland head coach Stephen Kenny names his team against Greece. Brighton striker Evan Ferguson is certain to lead the Irish attack after having a fabulous season for the Seagulls, scoring ten goals in 25 appearances across all competitions. Michael Obafemi will hope to partner Ferguson in attack, but he faces competition from Tottenham’s Troy Parrott and Norwich City‘s Adam Idah.

Ireland is without a number of notable absentees, including captain Seamus Coleman and vice-captain Shane Duffy, while AC Milan-linked Andrew Omobamidele and Rotherham United‘s Chiedozie Ogbene are both carrying injuries. Here’s a predicted Ireland XI: Bazunu; Collins, Egan, Lenihan; O’Dowda, Doherty; Cullen, Molumby, Hendrick; Ferguson, Obafemi.

This is the first competitive meeting between Ireland and Greece at senior international level. Greece has won twice and drawn once in their previous three friendly matches. Interestingly, Ireland hasn’t scored a single goal against Greece in their previous three meetings.

Credit: goal.com

ENND