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 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