Euro 2024: England x Slovenia, Match Preview, Team News, Odds and Predictions(25/06/2024)

Knowing that a point would be enough to qualify for the Euro 2024 last-16, England will play Slovenia at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne on Tuesday night to wrap up their Group C campaign.

Even though Gareth Southgate's team has only scored four points out of a potential six, their next opponents are still looking for that elusive first-ever Euro championships victory.

England x Slovenia Team News

Though, in contrast to past international windows, Southgate was able to mostly dodge harsh criticism of his team selection for the Euros, his choice to bring up an injured Luke Shaw, who is currently practising alone, has completely backfired.

The Manchester United player is still seen as a severe doubt for Tuesday's game, but he should be the sole enforced absence for the Three Lions, whose supporters are pleading with Southgate to change his starting lineup—pleadings that shouldn't go unanswered this time.

The Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment has not gone as planned so that Jude Bellingham could move into a more profound role alongside Declan Rice or Conor Gallagher, one booking away from a ban, could be brought back into the XI. This would free Phil Foden to play centrally and either Anthony Gordon or Eberechi Eze to show off on the left.

Regarding the Slovenians, Kek was a little concerned about the health of star striker Benjamin Sesko, who could not finish the full 90 minutes against Serbia because of muscular spasms. Still, Sesko has been exercising regularly lately and should be able to lead the charge.

However, renowned goalie Jan Oblak missed practice on Saturday for unclear reasons, while midfielders Timi Max Elsnik and Adam Gnezda Cerin haven't been 100% since game two, which has left their participation a little uncertain.

Though Jon Gorenc Stankovic is a backup in midfield if Elsnik or Cerin are not given the all-clear to start, it would be surprising not to see Oblak, who made several crucial saves against Serbia, protecting the posts.

Head To Head And Previous Matches

The first Group C match England played against Serbia and their June 20 match against Denmark differed in one significant way. The Three Lions would not get away with such poor play a second time, but they were not penalised for sitting back after gaining the lead against the former.

Harry Kane scored his fourth consecutive primary tournament goal under the closed roof of Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, where the pitch left a lot to be desired. However, a 25-yard Morten Hjulmand rocket later in the first half undid a disorganised England team.

Like in the close victory against Serbia, when only the woodwork—or Phil Foden, to be more precise—denied England a crucial second, Southgate's men played a sluggish, carefree game that betrayed a team uncertain of their place in the starting eleven.

Though there is a typical air of gloom in the country, as even captain Kane said that he and his colleagues are often scratching their brains when pressuring the opponent, the overall picture is better; the Three Lions are as good as through to the last 16.

Any victory, or Denmark losing to Serbia, will ensure a first-place finish and keep Germany out of the first knockout round. And even in the worst-case scenario, the Three Lions will still have the safety net of a high third-placed points total to fall back on.

But given England's meagre record of two victories in seven games, the Slovenians should look forward to Tuesday's pivotal meeting, in which the former Yugoslavia country aims to make their sixth Euro final appearance.

During their matchday two clash with Serbia, Matjaz Kek's team was just a few minutes away from accomplishing that goal. Right-back Zan Karnicnik arrived at the back stick to tap home in front of an ecstatic wall of white, but in the fifth minute of extra time, Luka Jovic's head broke Slovenia's hearts.

Slovenia currently sit third in the rankings and cannot be separated from the Danes in any head-to-head or goals metrics. Still, a win in Cologne will see them through after being served a taste of their own medicine - Kek's men left it late to hit back in a 1-1 draw with Denmark in their opening encounter.

Amazingly, all four ends are still feasible for Tuesday's underdogs, who are not to be taken lightly if an eight-match undefeated run—the past three of which have all finished 1-1—is any indication. It has been over a year since they last failed to score in any situation.

Not since losing to Finland 2-0 Kek's team last drew a blank in front of goal 14 games ago, but of their previous six meetings with England, five have ended in defeat, including a 1-0 setback at the 2010 World Cup that guaranteed the Three Lions spot in the last 16 - a hopeful sign for Southgate's tired charges.

Our Predictions

Under 2.5 goals @1.87 on Sky247.ng

We did not expect to hear these words before the tournament, but the form book favours Slovenia over England for Tuesday's crucial match, and Southgate's worn-out crop should find it difficult to break past the Oblak-marshalled defence.

But like in South Africa 14 years ago, a single goal ought to be enough to send the timid Three Lions through to the round of 16, group winners, but with little hope for the following games.

Elevate your betting experience with Sky247 Nigeria. Join now and discover a thrilling world of sports, live events, and exclusive bonuses. Bet with confidence on your favourite teams and games.