British Nations + Republic of Ireland Team News/Predictions

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:18:50 -0600

Team news for the four Home Nations, as well as the Republic of Ireland, ahead of their friendlies Wednesday.

ENGLAND VS GERMANY

- England will be without 7 of their starters from their last match against Belarus for the trip to Berlin, with both sides ready to put out untested XI's.Theo Walcott has seperated his shoulder in training and is the 8th casualty.

-England will be looking for their 5th win in a row.

- Michael Mancienne, on loan at Wolves from Chelsea, will be looking to make his first appearance for England. He has yet to make an appearance for Chelsea.

- Blackburn Rovers keeper and former England number one Paul Robinson has been called up to replace the injured Joe Hart.

- Gabriel Agbonlahor could made his debut for England under Capello

Prediciton: 2-1 Germany

WALES VS DENMARK

- Wales are another side hit by injuries, with Jason Koumas, Carl Fletcher, Simon Davies, Joe Ledley, and David Vaughan all having been withdrawn ahead of their match in Brondby.

- In their place, Owain Tudur-Jones, Darcy Blake, and Shaun McDonald have been called into the now 19 man squad. Blake and McDonald are both uncapped, while Tudur-Jones has just 2 senior appearances to his name.

- Arsenal youngster Aaron Ramsey, just 17 years old, should make his Wales debut on Wednesday.

- Toshack's men will be looking to end a 2 match winning streak for Denmark.

Prediction: Denmark 1 Wales 1

NORTHERN IRELAND VS HUNGARY

- George McCartney, Aaron Hughes, Stephen Craigan, and Gareth McAuley have all been ruled out through injury ahead of the match to be played at Winsdor Park. Rangers midfielder Steven Davis will also miss out due to family matters which are unspecified.

- Maik Taylor will start in goal but will play only the first half, as he has a match for Birmingham City on Friday night. Linfield keeper Alan Mannus looks likely to gain his 4th cap in this match as the 2nd half replacement.

- Derry City winger Nial McGinn's fine form has been rewarded with his first call-up to the senior side. Since moving from Dungannon Swifts in January McGinn has been a revelation in the League of Ireland, scoring 9 goals, and could earn his first cap.

- Northern Ireland will look to win their 2nd match in a row.

Prediction: Northern Ireland 2 Hungary 2

SCOTLAND VS ARGENTINA

- Diego Maradona will take charge for his first match as manager of Argentina.

- Barry Ferguson returns for Scotland after an injury spell, and will resume his position as captain.

- Kenny Miller, Steven Fletcher, Darren Fletcher, Craig Gordon, James Morrison, and Ross McCormack have all been ruled out of Burley's squad for the match at Hampden Park.

- In their place Lee Miller of Aberdeen and Scott Robertson of Dundee United have been called in. Allan McGregor looks likely to start in goal.

Prediction: Argentina 3 Scotland 1

IRELAND VS POLAND

- Aiden McGeady, Robbie Keane, and Dean Kiely have all been ruled out through injury.

- Kieren Westwood has been called up to replace Kiely and will serve as the 3rd gk, moving Joey Murphy to backup goalkeeper.

- Shay Given will captain the side while earning his 91st cap in goal.

- Reading striker Noel Hunt joins brother Stephen in the squad as a replacement for Keane. He'll be looking to gain his first cap.

- Caleb Folan will earn his 2nd cap for Ireland, and his first start, at striker.

- Blackburn Rovers winger Keith Andrews could make his first senior appearance for Ireland.

- Right back Kevin Foley could also make his debut for Ireland.

Ireland have announced their starting eleven. It is.....

Given-GK

DEFENDERS

Kilbane

O'Shea

Dunne

McShane

MIDFIELDERS

Keogh

Gibson

Whelan

Duff

STIKERS

Doyle

Folan

Prediction: Ireland 1 Poland 0

- Andrew McCarten

Home Nations+Ireland Team News

British Nations + Republic of Ireland Team News/Predictions