30/06/2024 – UEFA European Championship – Round of 16 – Last 16
Venue: VELTINS-Arena
Kick-off: 5 pm
Where to watch? Live on ITV 1 – and stream via ITVX.
UEFA Euro 2024: Is England vs Slovakia On TV? Where to watch England vs Slovakia? What’s the England team news?
Having successfully navigated the group stage, England now advances to the knockout rounds of Euro 2024, with a match against Slovakia set for Sunday. The showdown in Gelsenkirchen will determine which team secures a coveted spot in the quarter-finals, where Switzerland awaits the victor.
MATCH PREVIEW
‘England look for redemption amid slow start’
England, aiming to improve on their near-miss at Euro 2020, return to Gelsenkirchen this weekend. Their European Championship campaign began with a win over Serbia in the Ruhr Valley city, setting a positive tone.
The Three Lions topped Group C, ensuring a smoother path to Berlin, where the Henri Delaunay trophy will be awarded in two weeks. With five points from matches against Denmark, Slovenia, and Serbia, Gareth Southgate’s squad clinched the group despite some tense moments. After narrow victories and draws, the recent stalemate with Slovenia drew criticism from fans and pundits, reflecting frustrations over a team that has only two wins in their last eight games.
Southgate, who played against Slovakia in Euro 2004 qualifiers, must now guide his team past the noise and into the quarter-finals. Their path to the final is free of heavyweights like France, Belgium, Portugal, Germany, and Spain. A win on Sunday would set up a clash with Switzerland, who recently ousted reigning champions Italy.
‘Duda praised for revitalising Slovakia’
Historically, England has dominated Slovakia, winning five out of six encounters. However, Slovakia’s recent performance, including an opening win against Belgium, shows they can’t be underestimated. Despite a mixed bag in the group stage, Slovakia advanced by finishing third in Group E, thanks to a pivotal goal from Ondrej Duda against Romania.
Head coach Francesco Calzona, praised by Duda for revitalising the team, led Slovakia through a strong qualifying campaign, losing only to Portugal. Their group stage performance at Euro 2024 was marked by a record number of shots and shots on target for the nation, contrasting sharply with their Euro 2020 stats.
Calzona, who briefly managed Napoli, has leaned on experienced players, with Slovakia fielding the oldest squad on average in the competition. Veteran players like Peter Pekarik and Juraj Kucka have been instrumental.
As Slovakia appears in their third consecutive Euros, they aim to surpass their previous best by advancing further in the tournament. This clash promises to be a test of England’s resilience and Slovakia’s potential for an upset.
TEAM NEWS
‘Luke Shaw available’
As England prepares for their knockout clash with Slovakia, there are significant updates on player fitness and availability. First-choice left-back Luke Shaw, who has been sidelined with a hamstring issue, has declared himself available for Sunday’s game. Although not yet fit to start, Shaw’s readiness comes at a crucial time with stand-in Kieran Trippier and midfield anchor Declan Rice training separately from the main group. Additionally, Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, despite sustaining minor injuries from a bike accident, is fit to play.
Phil Foden returns to the squad after briefly leaving for the birth of his child, intensifying Gareth Southgate’s selection dilemmas in attack. Gordon and Cole Palmer are among those vying for a starting spot, with Southgate having a wealth of attacking options at his disposal. Foden, along with Trippier, Conor Gallagher, and Marc Guehi, must tread carefully as another yellow card would see them miss a potential quarter-final.
Captain Harry Kane, looking to find his rhythm after a subdued start, will aim to add to his impressive record in knockout stages, having scored six goals in his last six such appearances. Kane’s overall tally of seven goals in major tournaments is already the highest for any English player.
Jordan Pickford is another certain starter. The Everton goalkeeper has been instrumental in England’s defensive solidity, with the team keeping seven clean sheets in their last 10 European Championship games, a record surpassed only by Spain’s Iker Casillas and tied by Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon and the Netherlands’ Edwin van der Sar.
‘Slovakia likely to stick with lineup’
On the Slovakian side, head coach Francesco Calzona is likely to stick with a consistent lineup. Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, centre-back Milan Skriniar, and midfield general Stanislav Lobotka form the backbone of the team. Supporting Lobotka in midfield are Ondrej Duda and Juraj Kucka, while the forward line will likely feature either David Strelec or Robert Bozenik, alongside Lukas Haraslin and Ivan Schranz.
Hellas Verona forward Tomas Suslov has impressed as a substitute but is not expected to displace Haraslin. Duda and Schranz, key players for Slovakia, are also one booking away from suspension, adding an extra layer of caution for the underdogs.
This clash promises to be a test of depth and resilience for both teams as they vie for a place in the quarter-finals.
Predicted line-ups
ENG – Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Mainoo, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane
SLO – Dubravka; Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko; Kucka, Lobotka, Duda; Schranz, Bozenik, Haraslin
Predictions
The path to Berlin has apparently opened up, as the winners will play Switzerland in the quarter-finals, with a potential semi-against one of Austria, Romania, Turkey and the Netherlands lying ahead. Only one of these nations has been involved in a successful European Championship campaign to date – Slovakia lifted the trophy as part of Czechoslovakia in 1976 – but England should keep their dream of a first continental title alive. Even a Three Lions side lacking both balance and rhythm can get the job done in Gelsenkirchen – though it may be a matter of substance over style. England 1-0 Slovakia – (sports mole)
If the group stage has taught us anything about these two teams it’s that we shouldn’t expect a high-scoring affair this Sunday. Neither side has netted more than a single goal in any game so far and they have managed just five strikes between them – three of which have come from Slovakia. England have been subpar to say the least and are facing the prospect of a low Slovakia block made up of some resilient defenders. That has often spelled trouble for Southgate’s side, with the Three Lions boss having failed to unleash his side’s attacking potential in Germany. England should make it through, but it’s unlikely to be convincing based on what we have seen already. England 1-0 Slovakia – (90MIN)
The knockout rounds add an extra layer of pressure and desire for England to perform but it is unlikely they will suddenly rediscover their fluency and creativity. With Kobbie Mainoo looking like a more stable partner for Declan Rice at the base of midfield and some impressive performances from off the bench Southgate’s team should have the depth and ability to get through this next test, however nervously. England 1-0 Slovakia. – (The Independent)
