Slovakia vs England: EURO 2016 Group B Preview & Prediction

England face Slovakia at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in St. Etienne on Monday looking for a win that would ensure that they finish top of Group B.

Daniel Sturridge’s late winner against Wales in Lens on Thursday took England to the summit and on the brink of reaching the knockout stages, and three points against the Slovakians would secure their qualification as leaders of the group.

Buoyed by the success against Chris Coleman’s men, the Three Lions also know a victory could potentially set up a mouth-watering clash with Northern Ireland in the Round of 16, depending on other results this week.

England dominated during their passage through to France, winning every game during qualifying and overcoming the likes of Switzerland and Slovenia in the process, but they have found the going less easy at the tournament, suffering late heartbreak in their opening Group B game against Russia, where they drew 1-1.

However, they did achieve the sweet taste of success in equally dramatic fashion against rivals Wales, as goals from Jamie Vardy and Sturridge secured a late 2-1 success, after Roy Hodgson’s men were trailing to Gareth Bale’s free-kick at half-time.

Hodgson knows that his side will need to be more clinical if they are to reach the further stages of the competition – England have had 35 shots in their first two group matches, but scored just three goals.

Slovakia, meanwhile, overcame a tricky looking group to qualify as runners-up behind the current European Championship holders, Spain, to reach Euro 2016; they secured seven wins during qualification including a memorable 2-1 home success over the Spanish.

In France, they have endured the late disappointment of a late 2-1 defeat against Wales, but responded well with a 2-1 success of their own against Russia to enter the clash against England with every chance of reaching the knockout stages.

Monday night’s clash will be the fourth meeting between the two sides and Roy Hodgson’s men go into the clash with fond memories having successfully beaten their Eastern European rivals on every occasion, their last victory coming in a 4-0 friendly win in 2009, where a brace from Wayne Rooney set up a comfortable success at Wembley.

England captain Wayne Rooney could start on the bench against Slovakia. Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Team News:

With England all but qualifying for the knockout stages, Roy Hodgson is set to ring the changes and could make up to six alterations to the team that started the victory against Wales.

Four Tottenham players – Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Kyle Walker and Danny Rose – are set to be rested, while captain Wayne Rooney could also start the clash from the substitutes’ bench.

Sturridge and Vardy are set to start following their goals on Thursday, with Ryan Bertrand, Nathaniel Clyne, Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson also set to start in Saint-Etienne.

Meanwhile, Jan Kozak is expected to name the same side that defeated Russia, with Marek Hamsik and Vladimir Weiss, who were so impressive in that 2-1 success, looking to cause the England backline problems.

FIFA World Rankings: England – 11th; Slovakia – 24th
Best European Championship Finish: England – Third (1968); Slovakia – First appearance
Previous Meeting: England 4-0 Slovakia (March 28, 2009 – International Friendly
Form: England – LWWWDW; Slovakia – DWWDLW
Key Men: England – Daniel Sturridge; Slovakia – Marek Hamsik
Shoot Says: Slovakia 1-2 England