England vs Slovakia Prediction: Don’t expect many goals

It wasn't pretty but England have made it to the knockout stage of Euro 2024, and avoiding the tougher side of the draw which features Germany, Portugal, Spain and France. The Three Lions meet Slovakia in the round of 16 in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday (17:00, ITV1), hoping that they can put their disappointing group stage performance behind them.

Slovakia will be pleased to be in this position and they themselves will be sensing an opportunity given England have been pretty toothless thus far. Read on for my England vs Slovakia prediction, accompanied by match odds and team news.

England vs Slovakia Odds

England are 4/11 to win this match in 90 minutes, which gives them a theoretical chance of 73.3%. Slovakia are valued at 9/1, giving them an implied probability of 10%. If you believe this tie will go to extra-time then the draw can be backed at 7/2 (22.2%).

Both teams to score is on offer at 6/4 and over 2.5 goals is marketed at 11/10.

Team News

England's Phil Foden has temporarily left camp to fly back to the UK for the birth of his third child, so his participation is in doubt. Southgate has a lot to think about because his pre-tournament plan has backfired and England have looked lost.

There have been calls for the Three Lions boss to forsake his best players and select his best team, with some fans begging him to call upon the services of Anthony Gordon for some pace and width on the left flank.

We could see Luke Shaw return to the team to slot in at left-back, with the absence of a left-footer being noted throughout the group stage. There are calls for Jude Bellingham to be dropped as he has looked burned out in the last two matches. Southgate seems to forget that he is still just 20 years old.

Slovakia boss Francesco Calzona has made just one alteration to his starting XI at the Euros thus far so we aren't expecting much change from him on Sunday.

Half-time result - Draw @ 6/5

After the last two performances, there isn't much optimism from England fans as to what the Three Lions can achieve this summer, although they have taken solace from being on this side of the bracket.

It won't be easy, however favourable it looks, and Gareth Southgate's team cannot afford to be as flat as they have been thus far. Slovakia will be competitive and they will try to make it difficult for England to find their rhythm.

The Three Lions have been their own worst enemy so far and unless they can fix the issues, they will be leaving another tournament prematurely. Slovakia have earned the right to be here and will fight to continue their own journey. I can see the opening 45 minutes being a cagey affair and one that will end with the scores level.

Under 1.5 goals (in 90 minutes) @ 2/1

I don't think England will improve massively here and I think the fans can be in for another tough watch. I don't think there will be too many goals in this one because neither team has been particularly effective in the final third.

To Slovakia's credit, they have at least scored in each match so far, whereas England could only conjure goals in two of their own. The Slovenia draw was an eyesore and I can see this match being the same.

The Three Lions' defence does seem to be equipped to deal with threatening situations but they are being let down by what is going on at the other end of the pitch. I can very much see this game ending 0-0 after 90 minutes, or if anyone is to win it, I can only see it being by one goal.

England to win 1-0 (in 90 minutes) @ 4/1

If I had to guess the scoreline I would say England have what it takes to nick it with a 1-0 in regulation time. Yes, they have not been brilliant, but they still have an array of talented players who can step up and be the hero. And in this match, they might be in need of one to help buy them some more time to synchronise as a unit moving forward.

Betfred are running their famed Double Delight & Hat-trick Heaven Pre-Match offer on this match, meaning that if a player scores first and then nets again, you will be paid at double the odds. If he grabs a hat-trick, you will be paid at treble the odds!

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