As Euro 2024 heads into the knockout phase it’s now-or-never for England’s hopes of clinching a first ever European title.
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions are yet to roar in Germany with three uninspiring group games only producing a hoarse growl, as they edged into the last 16.
Five points from three games saw England clinch top spot in Group C and book a date with Slovakia on June 30 back in Gelsenkirchen.
Slovakia clinched their spot in the knockouts as one of the best third placed qualifiers, as a late swing saw England dodge a duel with the Dutch, to present Southgate with a tantalising potential route to the final.
Don’t hold your breath for goals
Southgate is feeling the heat with his team yet to spark into life at Euro 2024. With just two goals scored, and inspiration in short supply, this could be a real slug fest.
England’s two goals at Euro 2024 – via Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane – mean they are the lowest scoring group winners to reach the knockout stage and all three group stage games ended with under 2.5 goals scored per match.
Kane v Skriniar the key
It will be battle of the captains in Gelsenkirchen as Kane goes head-to-head with Slovakia skipper Milan Skriniar.
PSG star Skriniar is the lynchpin of a Slovakian back line which has remained unchanged in all three of their group games at Euro 2024.
The pair have faced each other four times before, twice in Kane’s time at Tottenham, against Skriniar at Inter Milan, and twice for their national sides.
Kane failed to find the net in any of those games and Skriniar will stick to him like glue in Gelsenkirchen. England’s No.9 has been fouled eight times so far at Euro 2024 with only two players still in the competition being fouled more.
Schranz the spark for Slovakia
Neither team are swimming in goals and attacking creativity, with Slovakia scoring three group stage goals, compared to England’s two.
Lukas Haraslin has registered four shots on target so far at Euro 2024, more than any player for either team, but Ivan Schranz has made the key difference with his efforts on goal.
From three starts, the Slavia Prague star has hit the target three times, but more importantly he has also scored two goals.
Kobbie Mainoo to commit 1+ fouls
Most of Southgate’s starting XI looks to be set in stone, but he is expected to role the midfield dice against Slovakia, to try and inject some control and zip into his team.
After naming an unchanged team against Serbia and Denmark, he tweaked for the 0-0 against Slovenia, as Connor Gallagher replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold in the engine room.
With neither player doing enough to solve the midfield conundrum, Southgate is expected to throw Manchester United’s rising star Kobbie Mainoo into the mix in the Round of 16.
Mainoo has played 50 minutes off the bench at Euro 2024, including replacing Gallagher at half time vs Slovenia, and committed a foul in that game.
Despite showing incredible maturity at Old Trafford in the last 12 months, he will be in the middle of a midfield scrap in this clash, and a foul or two is expected.
England v Slovakia Bet Builder Tips
- Under 2.5 goals scored
- Harry Kane to be fouled 1+ times
- Ivan Schranz to have 1+ shots on target
- Kobbie Mainoo to commit 1+ fouls
A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 10/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Read More for Euro 2024
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- England’s Route to the Euro 2024 Final in Germany: Three Lions potential path to glory
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