Dan Childs’ tips for England’s Round of 16 clash with Slovakia include a low-scoring win for the Three Lions with an Arsenal star finding the net.
England have been a hard watch since the start of Euro 2024 but they have landed in the softer half of the draw and are widely expected to get past Slovakia in Sunday’s round-of-16 clash in Gelsenkirchen.
Gareth Southgate’s side have lacked fluency, balance and intensity and were booed off after wrapping up their Group C campaign with a dull 0-0 draw against Slovenia.
Slovakia approached the tournament with more modest ambitions and immediately sprang a surprise with their 1-0 victory over Belgium.
However, they took just one more point from the remaining Group E fixtures to end up in third, ahead of fourth-placed Ukraine by virtue of a slightly better goal difference.
Selections
Half-time/full-time: Draw/England
3/1
Under 2.5 goals
7/10
Bukayo Saka to score the first goal
11/4
Patience may be tested but England should advance
Gareth Southgate has not shown any inclination to ditch his cautious approach so England fans may need to prepare themselves for another uncomfortable experience when witnessing the Three Lions take on Slovakia at the Arena AufSchalke.
England should be making fairly light work of Slovakia, who sit 45th on the FIFA rankings and, as an independent nation, have never advanced beyond the round of 16 at a major tournament.
But there has been a reluctance from Southgate to fully utilise the riches at his disposal and the persistence with such dour tactics should make it easier for the Slovaks to stay in the game.
Slovakia’s high point was a 1-0 success over Belgium although they were on the back foot for long periods and benefited from two tight VAR calls which disallowed a couple of Romelu Lukaku strikes.
They were less impressive when losing 2-1 to Ukraine and were happy to play out a mutually acceptable 1-1 draw against Romania.
The Slovaks have not trailed at the break in any of their three matches and they could maintain that trend by achieving half-time parity against England.
However, there should be greater urgency from England in the second period and that may be enough to win them the game.
Stubborn Slovaks can make it a tight game
Slovakia have not conceded more than one goal in any of their last six matches and their disciplined defence, anchored by Paris St-Germain centre-back Milan Skriniar and protected by tough tackling Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, could contribute to a low-scoring outcome against England.
The best way for Southgate’s men to solve the puzzle would be to use the full width of the pitch and play at a high tempo.
However, they have been laboured and predictable in recent times and their last four games have generated a total of just four goals.
Another tight match looks likely with under 2.5 goals a solid wager at 7/10.
Saka could strike the decisive blow
A moment of individual magic may be needed to unlock Slovakia and Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka looks as likely as anyone to provide it.
The 22-year-old had a goal disallowed against Slovenia and he looks a tempting 13/2 wager to break the deadlock this weekend.
Visit Betway’s Euro 2024 odds page.
