As UEFA Euro 2024 progresses, England is gearing up for their Round of 16 encounter against Slovakia this Sunday in Gelsenkirchen. Topping Group C, the Three Lions will face a Slovakian side that finished third in Group E, tying on points with Romania and Belgium. England, the runners-up in the 2020 Euros, are eyeing another deep tournament run under Gareth Southgate, despite a less-than-stellar group stage performance.
England’s Journey So Far:
With five points from a possible nine, England managed to secure victory only against Serbia, who were already eliminated. Draws against Denmark and Slovenia have sparked criticism over the team’s performance, highlighting Southgate’s struggle to maximize the potential of his talented squad. This match against Slovakia is seen as a pivotal moment for England to prove their mettle.
Slovakia’s Resilient Path: Slovakia has demonstrated their ability to compete with top-tier teams, evidenced by their victory over Belgium. Under the leadership of Francesco Calzona, the Falcons lost only twice in ten qualifying games against a strong Portuguese side. Key players like Martin Dubravka, Juraj Kucka, Milan Skriniar, and Peter Pekarik bring a wealth of experience, making Slovakia a formidable opponent. Additionally, the presence of quality players such as Stanislav Lobotka adds depth to their lineup.
Match Details:
- Date: Sunday, June 30
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- Location: Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
- TV: FOX
- Live Stream: Fubo (try for free)
- Odds: England -225; Draw +320; Slovakia +750
Path to the Round of 16:
- England: Finished first in Group C, ahead of Denmark and Slovenia, with their sole win against Serbia.
- Slovakia: Secured third place in Group E, equalling Belgium and Romania on points, with a crucial win over Belgium and a balanced group stage decided by goal difference.
Team News:
- England: Luke Shaw is fit and might replace Kieran Trippier, who trained separately with Declan Rice after sustaining a knock. Anthony Gordon, recovering from a fall, is expected to play, and Phil Foden is back after a brief family visit. Harry Kane, the team captain, is under pressure to deliver more goals. Likely starting XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Mainoo, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane.
- Slovakia: Coach Calzona is likely to stick with his trusted lineup, including Dubravka, Skriniar, and Lobotka. Ondrej Duda and Kucka are expected to support either David Strelec or Robert Bozenik, with Lukas Haraslin and Ivan Schranz up front. Tomas Suslov is an option off the bench but is unlikely to start. The probable starting XI includes: Dubravka; Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko; Kucka, Lobotka, Duda; Schranz, Bozenik, Haraslin.
Prediction:
Expect a closely contested match with England likely edging out Slovakia by a narrow margin. A 2-1 victory for England seems probable, securing their place in the quarterfinals.