England vs Slovakia Preview & Prediction | UEFA EURO 2024 | Round of 16

England have underwhelmed across EURO 2024 so far, but having topped Group C will be hoping to finally hit their stride against Slovakia, with anything other than progression to the quarter-finals a catastrophic failure.

KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 30th June, 2024 - UK – 5:00pm / US ET – 12:00pm / US PT – 9:00am

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – ITV / US – FOX

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – ITVX / US –VIX

ENGLAND PREVIEW: THREE LIONS TOP GROUP C WITH JUST ONE WIN ON THE BOARD

Many expected England to respond strongly after a sub-par showing against Denmark in their second group game, but the opposite occurred in Cologne. Gareth Southgate’s side were frustrated by the formidable nature of Slovenia’s backline and created precious little in what was a dour contest, ending 0-0. However, Denmark drawing with Serbia meant that the point was enough for England to finish top of Group C on five points.

The draw has opened up slightly from a Three Lions perspective, with heavy hitters such as France, Spain, Portugal and host-nation Germany all on the other side of the bracket. Based on what we’ve seen from England so far though, that could turn out to be irrelevant if they don’t vastly improve from an attacking point of view.

SLOVAKIA PREVIEW: PEGGED BACK BY ROMANIA, BUT A POINT ENOUGH TO GET THROUGH GROUP E

Slovakia went into the final round of Group E fixtures knowing that a point would be enough for them to qualify when taking into account their superior goal difference compared to that of Ukraine. Things got even better for them when Ondrej Duda gave them the lead against Romania. Although they were pegged back from the penalty spot, Slovakia got the draw they needed with the match ending 1-1.

This isn’t the first time Slovakia have faced England in the European Championships, they held the Three Lions to a 0-0 draw at Saint-Etienne in the group stage of EURO 2016. Combine that with what we’ve seen from England so far and Slovakia have every right to be confident of causing an upset here and securing a historic quarter-final appearance.

ENGLAND TEAM NEWS: CHANGES AFOOT AFTER SLOVENIA BLANK

If left-back Luke Shaw is finally passed fit to play, then Southgate will surely start him at left-back with Kieran Trippier dropping to the bench. Following excellent showings as substitutes against Slovenia, both Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer have made huge cases to be included ahead of Conor Gallagher and Bukayo Saka respectively.

PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Guehi, Stones, Shaw; Mainoo, Rice; Palmer, Foden, Bellingham; Kane

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE: Shaw (Injured)

SLOVAKIA TEAM NEWS: PACKED MIDFIELD AND STABLE BACKLINE

It would be no surprise if Slovakia were to name an unchanged side from the one who gained the point against Romania. This would mean striker David Strelec keeping his place over Robert Bozenik. Duda will likely be afforded in a free role in the centre of midfield, giving him license to push forward whenever possible.

PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Dubravka; Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko; Lobotka, Kucka, Duda; Schranz, Bozenik, Haraslin

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE:

KEY STATS

• England have won five and drawn one of their previous six matches against Slovakia. Including Czechoslovakia, they are unbeaten in ten matches (W8 D2).
• England have won one and lost one of their previous two EURO round of 16 ties. L 2-1 vs Iceland (EURO 2016) and W 2-0 vs Germany (EURO 2020).
• Excluding penalty shoot-outs, England have lost only one of their last 21 EURO matches (W11 D9 L1).
• Excluding penalty shoot-outs, England are unbeaten in their last ten EURO matches (W6 D4). This has equalled their previous longest run without losing a EURO match (17/06/2004 – 20/06/2016)
• Excluding penalty shoot-outs, England have lost only one of their last ten EURO knockout round matches (W4 D5). That was their 2-1 defeat against Iceland in the round of 16 in 2016.
• Six of England’s last nine EURO knockout matches have required extra-time, five of those matches went to a penalty shoot-out.
• England have lost only one of their last 17 competitive matches (W10 D6).
• England have kept seven clean sheets in their last ten EURO matches.
• England have been losing at half-time in only two of their last 33 EURO matches.
• Harry Kane is England top scorer in EURO knockout round matches with four goals. No other England player has scored more than one goal.
• Slovakia lost 3-0 against Germany in their only previous EURO round of 16 tie at EURO 2016.
• Slovakia have scored the first goal in all their three matches at EURO 2024.
• Slovakia have scored in the first half in each of their previous three matches at EURO 2024.
• Slovakia have lost only three of their last 14 competitive matches (W8 D3).
• Slovakia have been losing at half-time in only one of their last six EURO matches.

ENGLAND VS SLOVAKIA PREDICTION

It’s judgement time for Gareth Southgate and England after a string of underwhelming performances across the group stage. A similar story here could well see them end up the victims of a shock exit, as they were at this stage of EURO 2016 at the hands of Iceland. Slovakia will surely set up in a very similar fashion to Slovenia, prioritising a low block and forcing England to try and break them down, something which the Three Lions struggled to do against their previous opponents.

However, in the knockout stage following consecutive below-par group stage showings, England may finally find the formula required to unlock the opposition backline, especially if Southgate adjusts his starting line-up and makes the required tactical changes. The value available when it comes to backing England is low, so the smart move is to back under 2.5 goals scored across 90 minutes.

ENGLAND VS SLOVAKIA TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS