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Oct

2024

Preview: England look to bounce back in Helsinki

After Thursday’s shock defeat to Greece at Wembley, it’s fair to say that the honeymoon period has ended for Lee Carsley, and although a first loss as interim England manager does not end his tenure, it may cast doubts on whether the former-Everton midfielder earns the role on a permanent basis.

By Dan Tracey

Carsley‘s tactical gamble was certainly a bold decision ahead of Thursday’s encounter, and with the question of who should play as England’s No. 10 being a hot topic over the summer, Carsley’s answer was to crowbar all of the potential candidates into the starting eleven against Greece.

It was a gamble that spectacularly backfired at Wembley and something that is unlikely to be repeated on Sunday when the Three Lions move on to Helsinki to face Finland – a team that that has already beaten by England in this current Nations League cycle.

That was the night where Harry Kane celebrated his 100^th international cap by scoring a second-half brace and after not being risked on Thursday, the Bayern Munich talisman will be itching to help his country return to winning ways.

Especially as only top spot in this four team mini-league secures automatic promotion to League A and following defeat in midweek, England find themselves three points off the pace now set by the 2004 European Champions.

A scenario that suggests that nothing less than a win will do in Finland and especially against a side that is yet to open their current Nations League account.

Things did look promising against Ireland on Thursday when Joel Pohjanpalo put Markku Kanerva’s men ahead in the first half. However Liam Scales would restore parity after the break and Robbie Brady would secure Ireland’s first win under new manager Heimir Hallgrimsson with just seconds of the game remaining.

A poor finish by the Finnish but with England’s lions currently wounded, Sunday’s hosts will now look to cause further anguish and it will be interesting to see if manager Kanerva unlocks the shackles that were on display at Wembley last month.

*Key stats, England vs. Finland, Sep 2024 (England represented by the lighter blue)*

Before Kane found his shooting boots after the interval, Finland’s resolve was rather robust in the first 45 minutes and if they can create the same levels of early frustration with a home support behind them, it may offer further impetus to attack their superstar opponents.

There’s no doubt that England will go into the game as favourites, but they had the same status against Greece a few days prior and if they fail to end the week on the high, the FA may have to re-think their plans as they continue the search for Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the UEFA Nations League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Oct

2024

Preview: Spurs take their five game winning run to Brighton

Five consecutive games for Tottenham in all competitions, five goals for Brennan Johnson and although the Welsh international recently deactivated his social media accounts in rather acrimonious circumstances, it may just prove to be the best thing he could have done for himself.

By Dan Tracey

Blocking out the digital noise, simply focusing on what matters on the field of play and with those five goals in five games also making sure of a quintet of successive wins for the North London outfit, there are reasons to be cheerful if you are a Spurs fan at the moment.

Especially after the way Spurs bulldozed past Manchester United last Sunday and although you can only beat what is put in front of you, Ange Postecoglou’s side did that, and arguably should have done it by a greater margin.

Considering Spurs’ previous form at Old Trafford, perhaps that’s a little greedy, but regardless of that, the three points that shot them up the table should be considered the most important takeaway.

This Sunday, Tottenham are on their Premier League travels for the second weekend in a row and this time it is Brighton who play the role of hosts – a Brighton side still tormented by the mauling dished out to them by Cole Palmer last weekend.

The England international scored four goals in the first 45 minutes of the Seagulls’ trip to Stamford Bridge and were it not for the woodwork or the assistant referee’s flag, Palmer’s personal goal haul could have been even greater.

That 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Blues was Brighton’s first league defeat under new boss Fabian Hürzeler and with his high-line tactics being pulled in every possible direction by Chelsea, those same high-line tactics will be placed under scrutiny back at the Amex.

The visit of Spurs will be a test of Hürzeler’s tactical ideals and how he wants his Brighton team to play. Does he stay true to his principles or does he alter them after one poor showing in the Premier League?

Tactical inflexibility is often used as a stick to beat managers with – a stick that counterpart Ange Postecoglou has felt only recently, but after sticking to his guns, it seems as if his methods are now starting to pay dividends.

Whether that continues on the South Coast remains to be seen but with both teams preferring to squeeze the space that their opponents can operate in, this could be one of the most interesting tactical clashes of the season so far.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.