The Euro 2024 group stage nears its conclusion as England faces Slovenia in what, on paper at least, appears to be their easiest fixture. For Gareth Southgate’s men, the dream scenario would be securing qualification for the knockout rounds with a maximum of six points before this final match. This would allow the manager to experiment with his squad, giving valuable playing time to fringe players and resting some weary legs amongst his core group.
Slovenia, meanwhile, return to the big stage for the first time since the 2010 World Cup. Their last major tournament appearance holds a curious footnote – their only defeat came at the hands of England, a narrow 1-0 loss despite ultimately exiting the group stage. However, the Slovenians arrive in Germany with a renewed sense of optimism. A strong qualifying campaign saw them amass a hefty 22 points from 10 games, including a creditable 1-1 draw against their opening opponents, Denmark.
Despite facing a perceived underdog, England, as pre-tournament favorites, will be under pressure to maintain their high standards. Anything less than a convincing victory against Slovenia is likely to leave a sense of unease amongst the Three Lions fans, who will be expecting a dominant performance to send a message as the knockout stages approach.
England Team Preview
England heads into their clash with Slovenia having a wealth of attacking talent. Harry Kane, the ever-reliable goalscorer, is joined by a young and exciting midfield trio of Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Bukayo Saka. These players are more than just a handful – they represent a potent attacking force capable of dismantling most defenses.
However, a cloud hangs over England’s preparations. Gareth Southgate faces a selection headache in defense, with key players struggling with fitness issues. This could force a change in approach. While Southgate is known for his pragmatic style, England’s potential defensive frailties might necessitate a more attacking approach this time.
With no fresh injury concerns, Southgate has the freedom to experiment and give valuable playing time to fringe players. While key figures like Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are likely to retain their places, expect changes elsewhere in the line-up. This will allow players on the peripheries of the squad to stake their claim for a starting spot in the knockout stages.
The Three Lions will be looking to exploit their attacking riches and secure a convincing victory against Slovenia. If Southgate does loosen the shackles, fans can expect an England side looking to dominate possession and attack the Slovenian goal with shots.
Predicted XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Rice, Alexander-Arnold; Foden, Bellingham, Saka; Kane
Slovenia Team Preview
Slovenia welcomes England, knowing they are facing a daunting task. Their hopes likely rest on the shoulders of two key figures.
Jan Oblak, the world-class goalkeeper for Atletico Madrid, will undoubtedly be Slovenia’s busiest player, needing to be in top form to keep England’s attacking force at bay. However, Slovenia isn’t without its own weapons. Young striker Benjamin Šeško, recently linked with a move to Arsenal, is fresh off an impressive 18-goal season for RB Leipzig.
Slovenia faces a much sterner test against England. Having witnessed Serbia’s approach against the Three Lions – resolute defending and exploiting set-pieces – Slovenia can learn valuable tactical lessons. Slovenia is well aware of England’s attacking prowess. They’ll need to be particularly cautious of counter-attacks, a strategy that proved successful fro many teams against England.
We can expect Slovenia to utilize a counter-attacking strategy, exploiting any space behind the England defense with Šeško’s pace on the break. Set pieces will also be a crucial weapon for the Slovenians, hoping to capitalize on Oblak’s aerial prowess and cause problems for the England backline.
While Slovenia is yet to register a victory at the Euros, their opening draw serves as an inspiration for them to approach England with a sense of cautious optimism.
Predicted XI: Oblak; Karnicnik, Drkusic, Bijol, Janza; Stojanovic, Gorenc Stankovic, Cerin, Mlakar; Sporar, Sesko
England vs Slovenia Betting Odds
England 1.33 – 5.75 Draw — 12.00 Slovenia (Parimatch)
England vs Slovenia Head-to-Head Stats
England will face Slovenia in their final Euro 2024 group stage match, with history heavily stacked in their favor. The Three Lions boast a perfect record against Slovenia, winning five and drawing one of their six previous encounters. This includes a narrow 1-0 victory in their most recent meeting in October 2017.
While England leads against Slovenia by their historical dominance, they can’t afford complacency. Their last outing saw them concede a surprising draw, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in defense. Slovenia, meanwhile, will be confident in having secured positive results against their opening opponent, Denmark.
Despite the recent setback, England’s superior firepower and historical advantage over Slovenia make them strong favorites. If Gareth Southgate’s men can tighten up defensively, they should be able to secure a convincing victory and head into the knockout rounds on a high note.
England vs Slovenia Betting Tips and Predictions
With history and attacking prowess on their side, England is a heavy favorite to win. If you are looking for a safe option, you should look into betting for England.
For those looking beyond the straight-win bet, a correct score prediction of 2-0 or 3-0 in England’s favor could be interesting, considering their attacking potential. Harry Kane is the obvious choice for any time goalscorer, but Benjamin Šeško could be an outside shout for Slovenia.
England’s recent defensive woes make a “win to nil” bet for England a less certain option, though it might still offer some value depending on the bookmaker.
England vs Slovenia promises an intriguing encounter. The Three Lions will be heavily favored to secure a comfortable victory and head into the knockout rounds on a high note. However, Slovenia’s recent form and potential for a counter-attacking upset means England can’t afford to underestimate their opponents.
With world-class goalkeeping and young attacking talent to watch in Šeško, Slovenia could cause problems for a potentially shaky England defense.Regardless of the final scoreline, this match promises to be an entertaining display of attacking talent versus defensive resilience. Can the Three Lions remain undefeated, or will there be a late upset on the cards? Time will decide.