England's final Euro 2024 group stage match will take place on Tuesday night when they face Slovenia in Cologne. The Three Lions need a win to ensure they qualify for the Round of 16 as group winners while Slovenia need a win to book their place in the knockout stages.
Despite being top of Group C, England have faced a lot of criticism since their 1-1 draw with Denmark on Thursday evening with many fans and pundits demanding a change in personnel and system. Whether Southgate bows to that pressure or sticks to guns will be interesting to see.
Slovenia, meanwhile, had victory snatched away from them at the death against Serbia but have shown enough over the past week to suggest they will be a stern test for England.
How the bookies view it: England are still heavy favourites
Despite the recent criticism of England and Gareth Southgate, the Three Lions are still considered the heavy favourites for this match. England are priced at 4/11 with Betfred while a Slovenia win would be a huge shock as they are priced at 17/2. The draw is priced at 18/5.
Recent head-to-head: Advantage England
It isn't the first time that the two sides have met at an international tournament. They faced off in the group stages of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with England winning 1-0 thanks to a first-half strike from Jermain Defo.
The match in South Africa was one of six matches between England and Slovenia and the Three Lions boast an unbeaten record over their opponents with five wins and one draw.
Last five H2H duels:
- 05/10/2017 (World Cup Qualifiers) – England 1-0 Slovenia
- 11/10/2016 (World Cup Qualifiers) – Slovenia 0-0 England
- 14/06/2015 (EURO Qualifiers) – Slovenia 2-3 England
- 15/11/2014 (EURO Qualifiers) – England 3-1 Slovenia
- 23/06/2010 (World Cup) – Slovenia 0-1 England
Players to watch: Kane's the name, goalscoring is the game
There are a whole host of England players worth keeping an eye on here given the criticism of many of them over the past week. One man who has come under scrutiny for the first time in an England shirt is their captain and record goalscorer, Harry Kane.
The Bayern Munich man may have netted more than 40 times for Bayern Munich this season some people are calling for him to be dropped because he doesn't run in behind.
This is the same Harry Kane who hasn't done that his entire career but still amassed a ridiculous number of goals. How Kane responds to the current backlash will be fascinating to see.
For Slovenia, their two star players can be found at either end of the pitch. In goal is Jan Oblak who has established himself as one of Europe's finest goalkeepers over the past decade while up front is Benjamin Sesko.
The 21-year-old is one of the hottest strikers in world football and is still being tracked by Arsenal despite penning a new deal with RB Leipzig. Sesko will provide John Stones and Marc Guehi with their biggest test at the tournament to date.
Predicted lineups
Luke Shaw still isn't training with England, making his call-up to the tournament rather perplexing. Southgate will likely shuffle the pack with Trent Alexander-Arnold making way for either Connor Gallagher or Kobbie Mainoo.
Slovenia could bring in Jon Gorenc Stankovic to bolster the midfielder with Timi Max Elsnik and Adam Gnezda Cerin both injury doubts.
England: Pickford – Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier – Rice, Mainoo, Bellingham – Foden, Kane, Saka
Czech Republic: Oblak – Karnicnik, Brekalo, Bijol, Janza – Mlakar, Cerin, Stankovic Stojanovic – Sporar, Sesko
Anything else catch the eye?
Although England have been poor going forward at Euro 2024, they have looked solid at the back and have only conceded one goal – a rocket from 30 yards. Marc Guehi has settled into the team well and Slovenia aren't the most explosive team at the tournament (one goal in each game). England to keep a clean sheet is priced at 8/11.
This Euro 2024 match between England and Slovenia will be played on Jun 25, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best England vs Slovenia prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
