Finland v England LIVE: Nations League team news and line-ups as Lee Carsley faces Ollie Watkins dilemma

England travel to Helsinki to face Finland at the Olympic Stadium this evening in the Nations League, with kick-off at 5pm BST.

The Three Lions enter the match off the back of a humbling 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley last time out, and they now sit three points behind the Greeks in the League B Group 2 table at the halfway stage.

Finland enter the match bottom of the table, having gained no points across three games, and lost 2-1 to Ireland in Helsinki last week.

Interim England boss Lee Carsley is under scrutiny after his experimental, striker-less line-up against Greece failed miserably, so his selection will be scrutinised closely with Ollie Watkins a candidate to come in as a recognised No 9.

Follow all the latest build-up, team news and updates below:

Finland vs England LIVE

• England travel to Helsinki to face Finland in the Nations League, with kick-off at 5pm BST | Live on ITV

• The Three Lions are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2-1 loss to Greece

• Finland lost 2-1 to Ireland last time out and were beaten 2-0 but England at Wembley in September

• Clamour for Ollie Watkins to start after Carsley opted for a false 9 last time out

• Finland XI: Hradecky, Peltola, Ivanov, Hoskonen, Kamara, Jensen, Schüller, Alho, Uronen, Källman, Keskinen.

• England XI: Henderson; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Alexander-Arnold; Rice, Gomes; Grealish, Bellingham, Palmer; Kane.

Team news

15:56 , Chris Wilson

Lee Carsley has made six changes to the side that lost 2-1 to Greece in midweek. In goal, Dean Henderson replaces Jordan Pickford.

In defence, Kyle Walker and Marc Guehi replace Rico Lewis and Levi Colwill, while Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon are replaced in midfield by Jack Grealish and Angel Gomes. There’s a re-shuffle in midfield, with Jude Bellingham dropping back from the more attacking role he had last time out; Cole Palmer will presumably be on the right wing this time too.

In attack, Harry Kane plays as a lone striker as Phil Foden drops to the bench.

Line-ups

15:50 , Chris Wilson

Finland XI: Hradecky, Peltola, Ivanov, Hoskonen, Kamara, Jensen, Schüller, Alho, Uronen, Källman, Keskinen.

Subs: Joronen, Sinisalo, Galvez, Antman, Lod, Pukki, Ståhl, Pikkarainen, Tenho, Nissilä, Pohjanpalo, Walta.

England XI: Henderson; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Alexander-Arnold; Rice, Gomes; Grealish, Bellingham, Palmer; Kane.

Subs: Pickford, Lewis, Foden, Gordon, Gallagher, Colwill, Livramento, Watkins, Solanke, Pope, Madueke.

Team news

15:40 , Chris Wilson

Here’s a recap of the early team news – line-ups should be announced in around five minutes.

England could be without Bukayo Saka after the Arsenal winger limped out of the defeat by Greece.

Harry Kane could come off the bench in Finland, but Carsley confirmed that the captain will not start the game after recently suffering a leg injury while playing for Bayern Munich.

England’s failed experiment gives one answer to Lee Carsley – but asks another about him

15:30 , Chris Wilson

And here’s a recap of that last England result…

A failed experiment, which will doubtless lead to the first calls over whether that should be said of Lee Carsley. The interim England manager himself said he wouldn’t describe his tactical approach to this first senior defeat in that way, only to also say it was something worth trying. He then actually refused to confirm he wanted the job, but talked around it so much he started to tie himself in knots.

There was even an unfortunate slip where he said “hopefully” he’d be returning to under-21s, but that was surely just on the condition he doesn’t end up with the senior job. The scrutiny that comes with the latter was perhaps getting to him for the first time. There were moments when his explanations seemed as confused as his formation. Against that, Greece had such a clear focus. Their 2-1 away win was all the worse since the brilliant Vangelis Pavlidis scored both of their goals to show Carsley the value of a forward on a night when he took the historic step to go without one.

A line that goes from Dixie Dean to Harry Kane was broken, for a false nine that will instead bring talk of a false dawn.

England’s failed experiment gives one answer to Carsley – but asks another of him

Northern Ireland fail to make chances pay in frustrating Belarus stalemate

15:20 , Chris Wilson

Northern Ireland failed to make their chances pay as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 Nations League draw by Belarus in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary.

Michael O’Neill’s side had two goals ruled out and hit the post, all in the first half, but could not find the goal that would have sent them top of League C3 as their familiar lack of cutting edge proved costly.

Conor Bradley, given the captain’s armband, did as he usually does in another display of attacking verve, creating a string of opportunities for his team-mates – Jamie Reid in particular.

Northern Ireland fail to make chances pay in frustrating Belarus stalemate

Luckless Scotland suffer another late twist in Nations League

15:15 , Chris Wilson

A reminder of some of the other home nations results from the past few days.

Che Adams had a last-gasp goal ruled out as luckless Scotland suffered a 2-1 Nations League defeat to Croatia in Zagreb.

Ryan Christie shot the disciplined visitors ahead in the 33rd minute from a tight angle before striker Igor Matanovic levelled three minutes later.

Steve Clarke’s side came under increasing pressure after the break and eventually succumbed in the 70th minute of the League A Group 1 encounter at Stadion Maksimir when Andrej Kramaric headed the home side in front.

Luckless Scotland suffer another late twist in Nations League

Wales surrender two-goal lead in sketchy draw with Iceland as Craig Bellamy maintains unbeaten start

15:07 , Chris Wilson

A reminder of some of the other home nations results from the past few days.

Wales let a two-goal lead slip as Iceland stormed back to force a deserved 2-2 Nations League draw in Reykjavik.

Brennan Johnson maintained his remarkable scoring streak and Harry Wilson was also on target as Wales established a commanding interval advantage.

But Iceland substitute Logi Tomasson turned the game in the space of three second-half minutes as Wales were unable to stem a blue tide surging towards them.

Wales surrender two-goal lead in sketchy draw with Iceland as Bellamy still unbeaten

Who will win Nations League 2024/25 and what do England need for promotion?

15:00 , Chris Wilson

England

Lee Carsley has a somewhat easier task as interim boss of the Three Lions, with England in B2. They were cruising after two wins from two, though that loss to Greece has put the Three Lions in second place with six points, three behind the Greeks, with the reverse fixture taking place in November.

England really should top the group and earn promotion back to League A – but Ireland, in the same group, have lost both their matches so far. Finland and Greece are games they need points from but they are away in both this time around.

For England, they had a chance to try out a few more unfamiliar faces or even established faces in different roles, as Carsley has already hinted at – but that seemingly failed against Greece, and the overarching aim remains promotion.

For that, keeping a 100 per cent record will for the rest of the campaign is a necessity now really, with the Three Lions needing three points against Greece in the return fixture in Athens.

Who will win Nations League 2024/25 and what do England need for promotion?

14:45 , Chris Wilson

The Nations League takes centre stage once more this week as the international break returns and countries across the continent enter competitive matches once more, of a fashion at least.

While Uefa’s newest international adventure still divides opinion – and seriousness in team selections, perhaps – this season’s version does come with the usual backup qualifying spots for the next major international men’s tournament, in this case the 2026 World Cup.

In practice that means the four best group winners from the Nations League who don’t finish in the top two in World Cup qualifying groups will earn another shot at reaching USA, Mexico and Canada, by way of the playoffs. Here’s where England, the home nations and the rest of the major nations stand as we head into match rounds three and four.

Who will win Nations League 2024/25 and what do England need for promotion?

Talking points as England look to respond to Greece defeat against Finland

14:37 , Chris Wilson

Defensive reshuffle?

After being opened up at the back on regular occasions by Greece, changes to the defence look inevitable.

Kyle Walker could come back in at right-back, Marc Guehi is expected to return at centre-back with Levi Colwill possibly switching to left-back.

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is expected to keep the goalkeeper’s shirt, but will be under scrutiny after a chaotic display against Greece.

5 talking points as England look to respond to Greece defeat against Finland

14:30 , Chris Wilson

Finnish them off

Finland are the lowest ranked team in the group and have been the whipping boys, having lost their opening three games.

England have never lost to them, though they were held to a goalless draw in Helsinki 24 years ago when Howard Wilkinson was caretaker manager before Sven-Goran Eriksson’s appointment.

Defeat for the Finns would put them on the brink of relegation to League C, but they are dreaming big.

Coach Markku Kanerva said: “We know it’s going to be a huge challenge for us to try to get a win or get a point. But surprises can happen, and we believe in that.”

5 talking points as England look to respond to Greece defeat against Finland

14:22 , Chris Wilson

‘Carsball’ in question

Carsley’s decision to deploy five attackers without an out-and-out striker backfired against Greece, leaving England rudderless without the ball and toothless with it in an alarming all-round display.

The interim manager pledged to stick with his attack-minded approach, but a more familiar system will be in place in Helsinki.

“Probably won’t try that again on Sunday,” Carsley said. “I have coached enough to know we need to do something different. Had Harry been fit I might have gone down another route.”

5 talking points as England look to respond to Greece defeat against Finland

Lee Carsley wants to see reaction from England against Finland after Greece loss

14:15 , Chris Wilson

Interim England boss Lee Carsley expects a reaction to the deflating defeat to Greece as he returns to a “more conventional” system against Finland.

The Euro 2024 runners-up’s hopes of securing promotion back to the top tier of the Nations League received a blow on Thursday as Greece secured a late, but thoroughly deserved, 2-1 victory at Wembley.

Boos met the final whistle after Carsley’s experimental approach backfired, with the decision to deploy five attackers without an out-and-out striker leaving them imbalanced and disjointed.

Lee Carsley wants to see reaction from England against Finland after Greece loss

I did not apply for England manager’s job, says Lee Carsley

13:55 , Chris Wilson

Interim boss Lee Carsley has revealed he did not formally apply to become permanent England manager.

The Football Association turned to the 50-year-old for autumn’s Nations League fixtures after Gareth Southgate called time on his reign following July’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.

Carsley has frequently sidestepped questions about whether he wants to become England boss on a full-time basis, including saying he will “hopefully” be returning to his role with the under-21s.

Is Finland v England on TV?

13:40 , Chris Wilson

When is Finland v England?

The Nations League match takes place today, Sunday 13 October, with kick-off at 5pm BST at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium.

How to watch

Finland v England will be broadcast live on ITV1 and STV in Scotland. Viewers can stream the match live via the ITVX app and website, and on the STV Player.

Odds & prediction

13:30 , Chris Wilson

Odds

Finland 8/1

Draw 4/1

England 3/10

Prediction

England must react with a more convincing performance and Carsley will surely find a better balance in this match, with an orthodox striker like Ollie Watkins set to lead the line.

Finland 0-1 England.

Predicted line-ups

13:25 , Chris Wilson

Finland: Hradecky; Stahl, Hoskonen, Ivanov, Galvez; Lod, Walta, Kamara, Schuller, Peltola; Pohjanpalo.

England: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Guehi, Lewis; Gomes, Rice, Bellingham; Palmer, Watkins, Foden.

Team news

13:20 , Chris Wilson

England could be without Bukayo Saka after the Arsenal winger limped out of the defeat by Greece.

Harry Kane could come off the bench in Finland, but Carsley confirmed that the captain will not start the game after recently suffering a leg injury while playing for Bayern Munich.

Finland vs England LIVE

13:10 , Chris Wilson

England football team take on Finland football today aiming to bounce back from a disappointing defeat at the hands of Greece.

September’s promising Nations League wins against the Republic of Ireland and Finland were followed by boos from those left at Wembleyafter seeing Greece seal a late, but thoroughly deserved, 2-1 victory.

Lee Carsley’s bold, attack-minded line-up was flawed and the performance damaged the England Under-21s manager’s chances of permanently succeeding Gareth Southgate as senior team boss.

But the trip to Helsinki offers the chance for a quick response.

Finland vs England LIVE

13:01 , Chris Wilson

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of tonight’s Nations League match between England and Finland in Helsinki.

The Three Lions look to take three points against the side that sit bottom of their group as they bid to recover from the midweek loss against Greece.

We’ll have all the latest build-up and updates here.