England look to step up against Slovakia in their Round of 16 encounter at UEFA Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions topped Group C to reach this stage, whilst Slovakia progressed as one of the four best third-placed finishers after they finished third in a tight Group E.
Team News
Phil Foden will be in contention to start for England despite having flown back to the UK in midweek for personal reasons.
Phil Foden, Connor Gallagher, Marc Guehi and Kieran Trippier are just one booking away from missing the Quarter-Finals – should England progress beyond this stage.
Slovakia have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 1-1 draw against Romania.
Ivan Schranz and Ondrej Duda are both one booking away from missing a potential Quarter-Final, which will become reality if they’re booked here.
When is Kick-Off?
England face Slovakia at Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen, at 6pm CEST (5pm UK Time), live on ITV1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- England drew 0-0 in their only previous meeting against Slovakia at Euro 2016 in their final group match of that tournament.
- Including Qualifying, Slovakia are yet to beat England in European Championships (D1, L2).
- England have kept clean sheets in three of six previous meetings against Slovakia across all competitions.
- No England player has made more tackles and interceptions than Declan Rice (11).
- Slovakia’s Ivan Schranz scored from two of his three shots on target in the group stage.
Prediction
Despite three sub-par performances, England have certainly gotten lucky to have an easy knockout half but they now need to turn on the attacking flair that they have, especially after late glimpses from Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon in that dull draw against Slovenia.
Gareth Southgate though needs to grow his managerial backbone and take more risks with his selection as Palmer and Gordon really should start on the wing, with Kobbie Mainoo joining Declan Rice in the defensive midfield.
Slovakia though are a well disciplined team defensively who have been difficult to beat at this tournament as Belgium found out in Group E, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they go defensive and look to play on the counter where they are super dangerous.
If that is the case then England must show patience and composure to break them down and to be frank, it might be a substitute who makes the difference but this is surely England’s to lose.
Prediction: England 1-0 Slovakia
Result: England 2-1 (AET) Slovakia