England will play their third and final group stage game in Euro 2024 on Tuesday, knowing they still need a positive result to guarantee top spot in Group C after a faltering campaign so far.
The Three Lions beat Serbia in nervous fashion the first time around, then were lucky to draw with Denmark to top the group before the final game against Slovenia – and received a lot of criticism in the process.
Gareth Southgate seems willing to shuffle the group, at least in midfield, in search of a winning line-up for England, not only to guarantee first place and a place in the round of 16, but also a little confidence and a little more cohesion as they progress through the tournament.
There are also question marks over the forwards in the line-up and possibly the left-back the closer Luke Shaw gets to full fitness.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest team news.
When is England v Slovenia?
The match will kick off at 8pm BST on Tuesday 25th June at the Rhein Energie Stadion in Cologne.
What TV channel is it on?
England v Slovenia will be broadcast on ITV1 with coverage from 6.45pm. The match can also be streamed live online via the ITVX platform and app. You can find a full list of which channel it is showing each match here.
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What’s new with the England team?
Kieran Trippier It is Luke Shaw both took part in England training on Monday ahead of the team’s final Euro 2024 group stage match against Slovenia.
The left-back’s enigma was once prominent in Gareth Southgate’s thinking, but the issue now shows signs of easing. Shaw was named in Southgate’s squad for the tournament as the only specialist in the position, but he was not even in a position to be on the bench for the Denmark game and had been training alone. It is not yet known whether he is now in shape to start ahead of the right-handed Trippier.
The issue of England’s attacking play in the first two games means that at least one change later on is almost guaranteed. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s experiment in midfield appears to have come to an end and Southgate could opt to bring in Conor Gallagher as a direct replacement or move Jude Bellingham back into the position, move Phil Foden infield to the number 10 position, where he is most effective is starting Anthony Gordon or Eberechi Eze on the left.
Slovenian star Benjamin Sesko suffered muscle cramps in the last match but should be fine to play here. There is uncertainty over Jan Oblak, who missed Saturday’s training without explanation, while Timi Max Elsnik and Adam Gnezda Cerin still appear to be suffering knocks, with Jon Gorenc Stankovic on standby.
Predicted lineups
England XI: Pickford; Walker, Guehi, Stones, Trippier; Rice, Gallagher; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane
Slovenia XI: Oblak; Karnicnik, Brekalo, Bijol, Janza; Mlakar, Elsnik, Cerin, Stojanovic; Sporar, Sesko
Chances
England 3/10
Draw 3/1
Slovenia 15/2
Prediction
It is difficult to imagine that England will suddenly find a fluency and creativity that they have not demonstrated in the tournament so far, but with all the pressure there is added hope of improvement. England 1-0 Slovenia
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