After an underwhelming start, England must get their act together when the Euro 2024 knockout stage begins this weekend.
Topping Group C has landed the Three Lions on the good side of the draw but performances will need to improve if they are to make that advantage count, with fans and pundits pleading for Gareth Southgate to change things up.
England’s journey in Germany continues on Sunday with a last 16 clash against Slovakia.
From this point on it’s all or nothing. Is football coming home or is it 58 years of hurt and counting?
England team news and injury latest
The Three lions have remained largely injury free throughout the Euros but there are two players whose involvement in Sunday’s clash is doubtful
Luke Shaw’s return to action is close, according to the left-back himself, but having been sidelined with a calf injury since February, is it too risky to play the Manchester United star in a crunch knockout game?
Meanwhile, Phil Foden left the training camp on Wednesday to fly home for the birth of his third child.
His departure was described as ‘temporary’ but while he may return in time to play Slovakia, he may not be in the best shape to start after missing several days of training.
Southgate made only one alteration to his starting XI in the group games, but that could all change in the last-16.
That one change was to end Trent Alexander-Arnold’s midfield experiment and bring in Conor Gallagher for the Slovenia clash, but after a poor 45 minutes the Chelsea star was hauled off.
His replacement Kobbie Mainoo performed far better and is now likely to start alongside Declan Rice.
Fans and pundits have been begging to see Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon, and finally got their wish against Slovenia and even in their brief cameo they lit up the pitch, providing much needed energy and attacking threat.
Both coming in might be a step too far, but given Foden’s absence, Gordon could well take his place on the left-wing.
Predicted England line-up vs Slovakia
Kobbie Mainoo seems destined to start but will Southgate turn to Anthony Gordon? (Photo: Metro.co.uk)
What channel is England vs Slovakia on?
England vs Slovakia kicks off in Gelsenkirchen at 5pm UK time on Sunday, 30 June.
The match will be broadcast live on ITV1, with a live stream available on ITVX, with coverage starting at 3:30pm. Fans will be praying that the infamous ‘ITV curse’ doesn’t plague the Three Lions again.
England vs Slovakia odds
England vs Slovakia Odds
England win – 1/3
Slovakia win – 7/1
Overall Euro 2024 winner:
England – 7/2
Spain – 4/1
Germany – 11/2
France – 11/2
Slovakia – 200/1
Odds courtesy of Betfair
England vs Slovakia head-to-head record
Remarkably there have only been six previous meetings between the two nations, five of them resulting in England wins, with a combined score of 11-3.
The other was a goalless draw at Euro 2016, the only time they’ve clashed at a major tournament – until now.
The very first game in 2002 saw England come from behind to win a Euros qualifier 2-1, with a certain Gareth Southgate starting in defence.
Their last encounter in 2017 was also a 2-1 comeback win in World Cup qualifying, with Eric Dier and Marcus Rashford on the scoresheet. Three players from that matchday squad are at Euro 2024 – Harry Kane, Kyle Walker and John Stones.
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