Best Odds: 2/5
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With plenty of pressure on their shoulders on Tuesday night, England will meet Slovenia in Cologne for their final Group C showdown.
England
Starting with England, while the Three Lions might have opened this summer’s European Championships pencilled in as a leading contender to get their hands on a first piece of international silverware since 1966, Gareth Southgate’s camp have drastically struggled to find any real fluidity. Despite collecting four points from their opening two EURO 24 appearances and sat in the driving seat to finish as Group C winners, England are still waiting to click into gear. Signing off their pre-tournament preparations with an infamous 1-0 defeat at the hands of Iceland in north London, the Three Lions have now remarkably registered just a pair of wins from any of their previous seven matchups across all competitions. Looking to finally make a statement in Cologne, Southgate’s men have plenty of pressure on their shoulders.
Team News
Still not training and with growing speculation that Luke Shaw will not be able to play any part at this summer’s European Championships, Manchester United defender Luke Shaw will not be part of Southgate’s squad here. Despite coming under recent scrutiny, skipper and attacking talisman Harry Kane will spearhead England’s charge in Cologne.
Struggling to find any kind of fluidity in his new midfield role, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold could be dropped to the bench on Tuesday night. Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham could be dropped into a deeper role and partner Declan Rice at the heart of Southgate’s midfield.
Slovenia
As for Slovenia, although Matjaz Kek’s men might be seeking a minor miracle on their bid to book an iconic knockout stage ticket, they have received a string of plaudits this summer. Opening their ERU 24 adventure with consecutive 1-1 stalemates against Denmark and Serbia, the former Al-Ittihad boss should find the mood in his camp at a real high. Springing what was a remarkable upset during March’s International break as they clinched a 2-0 win against former European champions Portugal, Slovenia will certainly be relishing a trip to Cologne on Tuesday night. Despite being pencilled in as a landslide underdog here, Kek’s side have suffered just a single loss from any of their previous 14 straight appearances across all competitions a run that stems back over the past 12 months.
Team News
Enjoying what was a sensational breakout campaign with German giants RB Leipzig last season and notching 14 Bundesliga goals, striking sensational Benjamin Sesko will spearhead Slovenia’s charge here. Now playing his domestic football with Greek outfit Panathinaikos, former Middlesbrough misfit Andraz Sporar will partner Sesko in the final third.
Heavily linked with a potential big-money move this summer, Atletico Madrid shot-stopper Jan Oblak will start between the sticks in Cologne and will earn a 68th international cap. Udinese’s Jaka Bijol will be joined by former Hoffenheim youngster Vanja Drkusic at the heart of Kek’s defence.
Key Factors to Consider
