England vs Slovakia Prediction: Southgate’s men must perform
After topping Group C unconvincingly. England will be under the spot light when they face Slovakia in the round of 16. With a full compliment of squad members, England will be expected to perform at their best and win this match with ease. However, writing Slovakia off, before the match starts would be a big mistake. Slovakia shocked the entire footballing world when the beat Belgium in their opening game of this years EUROs.
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Team News
Phil Foden left the England camp to attend the birth of his child. He is expected to return in time to feature in Englands match against Slovakia. Luke Shaw was ruled out of the but there is hope that he will feature in this match, especially since Kieran Trippier seemingly picked up a kick in their last group stage match. Gareth Southgate remains in search of this best midfield, so expect and other shake up in the area of the field.
Slovakia are expected to line up as they did in their previous match, with their regular spine of Martin Dubravka, Milan Skriniar and Stanislav Lobotka staying in the starting line up. But, expect some changes around them with some players being dropped to best counter attack England's set up.
England's Predicted Line-up (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Guehi, Stones, Trippier; Rice, Mainoo; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane
Slovakia's Predicted Line-up (4-3-3): Dubravka; Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko; Kucka, Lobotka, Duda; Schranz, Bozenik, Haraslin
The odds on England to win this match are set at 43/100, 33/20 for the draw and 37/5 for a Slovakia win. If you are leaning to the Double Chance bet like myself. the odds on a Home or Draw are set at 9/100, 1/5 for Home or Away and 31/20 for a Draw or Away.
Double Chance - Home or Draw 9/100
England have no losses against Slovakia in their last six meetings. Their last encounter was in the UEFA, Fifa World Cup Qualifiers where England won the tie home an away. However, those matches took place in 2016 and 2017 respectively, thing were different back then. Based on current form, England have two draws in a row leading up to this match. with the last draw, being goalless and leading many to ask "where are England's goals going to come from"? Regardless of how you feel about Englands performance in this tournament so far. Gareth Southgate has delivered on his mandate to win the group. Now they are poised to progress, having been drawn against a third place finisher in this round of 16.
Slovakia cannot be underestimated, they have been the first team to score in five out of their last five matches. They have also, gone on to win the first half in four out of their last five matches in all competitions. Although England have no losses in the Euros thus far. They have disappointed in matches that they were expected to win, namely their one all draw against Denmark and their inability to find the back of the net against Slovenia.
Between these two sides, they have scored five goals in this years Euro. England contributing two and Slovakia contributing three goals. There is nothing in the statistics that is compelling enough to back England for the win. However, Slovakia themselves may need to come out guns blazing if they are going to walk away with the win and progress to the next round.
In my opinion, amongst all the talks about Englands weak performances. I would back England to win this match if Gareth Southgate was to Play a false nine upfront (Jude Bellingham), replace Harry Kane with Kobbie Mainoo to bolster the midfield. Start Trent Alexander-Arnold alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Declan Rice and move Phil Foden to the right wing. Allow Kyle Walker to Play as over lapping full back. Replace Kieran Trippier with Joe Gomes so that when England are on the attack, Joe Gomes can stay back and form a three man defence alongside Marc Guehi, and John Stones. On the left hand side, he would then need to play Cole Palmer, who would provide the width on the left and play incisively as there will be no full back overlapping on that side. With this team, he would be able to walk the ball into the back of the net. If they fall short, he can bench Foden and bring on Jarrad Bowen, Remove on player from the midfield, to add Kane to the set up and Bench Gomes for Trippier. Setting up a team that can provide balls in to the box for Kane to finish. Knowing very well that won't happen. I will go with a double chance, Home or Draw.
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