Evening Standard
·20 June 2024
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·20 June 2024
The mood in the Three Lions camp will be downbeat against the Denmark draw
England only need a point to reach the Euro 2024 knockout stages but have plenty of work to do before facing Slovenia after two underwhelming displays.
A narrow win over Serbia was followed by a dismal draw with Denmark, who will consider themselves unlucky not to beat the Three Lions.
The Three Lions sit top of Group C on four points but must win to secure a more favourable passage in the next stage. Defeat is unthinkable.
England vs Slovenia is scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off on Tuesday June 25, 2024.
The match will take place at Cologne Stadium.
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TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 6.45pm.
Live stream: Fans can also catch the contest live online for free via the ITVX app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with our reporters Malik Ouzia and Dan Kilpatrick at the ground to provide expert analysis.
Gareth Southgate will surely be tempted to make a change in midfield after another underwhelming display from Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose struggles are also impacting Declan Rice. Jude Bellingham could be pushed back alongside the Arsenal midfielder, allowing Phil Foden to play in his preferred No10 role.
Criticism of Harry Kane’s performance will fall on deaf ears from Southgate, though changes in attack must be considered. Cole Palmer again remained on the bench against Denmark, while Anthony Gordon also deserved a chance on the wing.
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Slovenia were unchanged against Serbia and came through that game without any injuries.
Matjaz Kek is set to stick with that team and a 4-4-2 formation which looks to press teams in their own half and hit their big men with crosses from out wide, with Benjamin Sesko their danger man in the middle.
On paper, England should have no trouble dispatching a Slovenia side who are only impressed in brief flashes. But the same can also be said about the Three Lions, who have underwhelmed across their opening two games.
With changes to the side, England should still have enough about them to see off Slovenia, but Benjamin Sesko has shown enough to prove a handful.
England to win, 2-1.
The Three Lions have never lost this fixture and knocked Slovenia out of the 2010 World Cup with a 1-0 win courtesy of a Jermain Defoe goal.
England wins: 5
Slovenia wins: 0
Draws: 1
England win: 1/3
Draw: 11/4
Slovenia: 6/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
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