England vs Slovenia – Euro 2024 – 25-Jun-2024

England vs Slovenia

The stage is set for a crucial encounter at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne, Germany, on Tuesday, June 25th, 2024, as England takes on Slovenia in their final Group C match of Euro 2024. England, currently atop the group, needs just a point to secure qualification for the knockout stages, while Slovenia seeks an unlikely upset to keep their hopes alive.

England: In Pole Position, But Room for Improvement

• A Strong Start, But Questions Remain: Gareth Southgate’s men have started the tournament with a win and a draw. They defeated Serbia 1-0 in their opener but were held to a 1-1 draw by a determined Denmark side. While England sits in a comfortable position, their performances haven’t been entirely convincing.

• Attacking Concerns: Despite boasting a plethora of attacking talent, England has struggled to create clear-cut chances consistently. Harry Kane, the captain and star striker, is yet to find the net in the tournament. Creating more opportunities and converting them will be crucial against Slovenia.

• Defensive Solidity a Positive Sign: On the defensive end, England has looked solid. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has been reliable, and the backline, marshalled by John Stones and Harry Maguire, has been relatively untested. Maintaining this defensive resolve will be key to securing the positive result they need.

Slovenia: Underdogs Aiming for a Heroic Upset

• A Surprise Package: Slovenia has surprised many with their performances thus far. They held both Serbia and Denmark to draws, showcasing their defensive organization and tactical discipline. Coach Matjaž Kek has instilled a belief in his team, and they will be aiming to cause an upset against England.

• Limited Attacking Options: While Slovenia has been defensively sound, their attacking prowess remains limited. Josip Iličić, their most creative player, is past his prime, and they haven’t found a consistent goalscorer. Finding a way to break down England’s defense and create scoring opportunities will be their biggest challenge.

• A Chance to Cement Their Status as Rising Stars: Despite the odds stacked against them, a positive result against England would be a significant achievement for Slovenian football. It would further solidify their reputation as a team on the rise and a force to be reckoned with in international football.

A History of One-Sided Encounters

England and Slovenia have met on four previous occasions, with England winning all four encounters by comfortable margins. The last meeting, a friendly in 2016, saw England win 3-0. However, Slovenia’s recent defensive displays and England’s slight struggles in attack suggest this match might be closer than expected.

Key Players in the Spotlight

• England: Harry Kane (FW) – England needs their captain to find his scoring boots.
• England: Jude Bellingham (MF) – The young midfielder’s creativity will be crucial in unlocking the Slovenian defense.
• England: John Stones (DF) – His leadership and experience will be vital at the heart of the English defense.
• Slovenia: Jan Oblak (GK) – One of the world’s best goalkeepers, his performance could be the difference between defeat and a surprise result.
• Slovenia: Benjamin Verbič (MF) – Slovenia’s main creative outlet, his ability to create chances will be crucial for their attacking threat.
• Slovenia: Darko Štefanović (DF) – A rock at the back, his leadership and defensive solidity will be vital against England’s attack.

England Favorable, But Slovenia Can Spoil the Party

England, on paper, is the clear favorite. Their superior individual talent and experience should see them through. However, Slovenia’s defensive organization and desire to cause an upset should not be underestimated. If they can frustrate England’s attack and capitalize on any defensive lapses, they might just pull off a historic victory.

Prediction:

England is heavily favored to win this match. However, Slovenia’s defensive resilience could make it a tighter contest than expected. Here are some possible outcomes:

• England Win: The most likely scenario, with England’s superior attacking firepower eventually breaking through the Slovenian defense. (Score prediction: England 2-0 Slovenia)
• Draw: A more cautious approach from both sides leads to a cagey encounter that ends in a stalemate. (Score prediction: England 1-1 Slovenia)
• Slovenia Upset: A highly unlikely scenario, but if Slovenia can pull off a defensive masterclass and score a lucky goal, they could cause a major upset. (Score prediction: England 0-1 Slovenia)

What time does England vs Slovenia kick-off?

Location: Cologne, Germany

Venue: RheinEnergieStadion

Date: Tuesday 25 June

Kick-off time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT

Referee: Clement Turpin (FRA)

VAR: Jerome Brisard (FRA)

How to watch England vs Slovenia on TV and live stream