England vs Slovenia Preview & Prediction | UEFA EURO 2024 | Group Stage
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The final round of fixtures in Group C has a lot up in the air with pre-tournament favourites England looking to secure their passage through to the knockout stage as group winners but Slovenia also in a position to qualify.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Tuesday 25th June, 2024 - UK – 8:00pm / US EST – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – ITV / US – FOX
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – ITVX / US – VIX
ENGLAND PREVIEW: UNDER PRESSURE
There is a lot of pressure coming from England with underwhelming and unconvincing performances coming under intense scrutiny – some of that scrutiny just and some of it not. The Three Lions’ will take positives from their opening matches, such as having the best underlying defensive numbers in the competition, but there are concerns elsewhere.
The lack of energy all over the pitch is a major issue and Gareth Southgate has already worryingly discussed the fitness levels of his squad. What was a major issue in their 1-1 draw against Denmark was the lack of cohesion on the ball and general patterns of play, as well as basic competence and ability to actual retain possession.
SLOVENIA PREVIEW: A MISSED OPPORTUNITY
Under the management of Matjaz Kek, Slovenia head into the final match day with a chance to top Group C. They began their tournament with a 1-1 draw against Denmark in which Erik Janza scored a 77th minute equaliser following on from Christian Eriksen opening the scoring for the Danes early in the first-half.
In their second match at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Slovenia were much the better side against Serbia and eventually took the lead in the second-half via Jan Mlakar but, after what had been a stubborn and resolute defensive performance, conceded a 96th minute equaliser from a Luka Jovic header from a corner.
ENGLAND TEAM NEWS: LEFT-BACK ISSUES
England have a serious issue in defence and attack on the left-hand side. Luke Shaw has returned to training but remains unavailable and fresh reports indicate that Kieran Trippier is nursing a calf issue so a start for Joe Gomez may be in the offing. There is an expectation that Trent Alexander-Arnold will drop out, too, with Chelsea's Conor Gallagher now expected to be his replacement.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Gomez; Rice, Gallagher; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane
UNAVAILABLE: Shaw (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Trippier (Injured)
SLOVENIA TEAM NEWS: LOVRIC STILL A DOUBT
Slovenia have got themselves into a position heading into the final day of the groups whereby they could actually win the group without one of their key creative sparks, Udinese’s Sandi Lovric, yet to feature due to injury. He remains a doubt so the attacking onus remains on Benjamin Sesko and Jan Mlakar on the left-hand side of midfield.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Oblak; Karnicik, Drkusic, Bijol, Janza; Stojanovic, Gnezda Cerin, Elsnik, Mlakar; Sporar, Sesko
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Lovric (Injured)
KEY STATS
- England have won five of the six meetings between these two teams (D1). Including a 1-0 victory in the group stage at the 2010 World Cup.
- England have qualified for the knockout rounds in their last four EURO appearances prior to 2024. The last time they failed to make it out of the group stage was at EURO 2000.
- England are unbeaten in their last 13 EURO group stage matches (W8 D5). Since a 2-1 defeat against France in their opening fixture at EURO 2004.
- England could complete their fourth successive EURO group stage without losing a match.
- England have won their EURO group on three previous occasions (EURO 1996, EURO 2012 and EURO 2020). If they do so at EURO 2024 it will be the first time they have done so in successive editions.
- Excluding penalty shoot-outs, England have lost only one of their last 20 EURO matches (W11 D8 L1).
- Prior to their 1-1 draw against Denmark, England had not conceded a goal in their last five EURO group stage matches.
- England have only failed to score in three of their last 25 EURO final tournament matches.
- England have lost only one of their last 16 competitive matches (W10 D5).
- England have been losing at half-time in only two of their last 32 EURO matches.
- John Stones, Declan Rice and Jordan Pickford could all make their tenth EURO appearance. Declan Rice would be the youngest player to reach the landmark for England at the age of 25 years and 163 days. The current youngest is Raheem Sterling (26y 15d).
- Gareth Southgate is set to become the first coach to lead England in ten EURO final tournament matches.
- Slovenia are aiming to reach the knockout rounds for the first time having exited in the group stage in their previous EURO appearance in 2000.
- Slovenia have drawn their last three EURO matches.
- Slovenia are without a win in their five EURO matches (D4 L1).
- Slovenia have lost only two of their last 16 competitive matches (W8 D6).
- Slovenia have only failed to score in one of their last 22 international matches.
- Five of Slovenia’s six EURO goals have been scored in the second half. The only time they have scored in the first half was in their debut match at EURO 2000 when Zlatko Zahovič put them 1-0 ahead against Yugoslavia in the 23rd minute.
- Against Serbia, Žan Karničnik became the fourth different player to score for Slovenia in a EURO final tournament after Zlatko Zahovič, Miran Pavlin and Erik Janža.
ENGLAND VS SLOVENIA PREDICTION
England have been difficult to play against but they have found it extremely difficult to play with each other at this stage, too. Slovenia know that a draw will be enough to see them qualify for the Round of 16 and, as a result, the likelihood is that Matjaz Kek sits his Slovenian side deep with the occasional flurry forward. There is an expectation that England do get the win and move onto seven points but it is very unlikely to be overly enjoyable for either the neutral or the supporter of either side.
ENGLAND VS SLOVENIA TIP: ENGLAND TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
