When is it? How can you watch it? What are the possible line-ups?
England and Slovenia meet in their Third Group C match at UEFA EURO 2024.
England and Slovenia at a glance
When: Wednesday 26 June (03:00 GMT+8 kick-off)
Where: Cologne Stadium
What: UEFA EURO 2024 Group C Matchday 3
What do you need to know?
After a narrow opening victory against Serbia, England were unconvincing against Denmark, and could perhaps be considered fortunate to escape Frankfurt with a point. Nevertheless, Gareth Southgate’s side are still in a strong position to progress to the round of 16, and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has called for calm, telling EURO2024.com: “We could have done better in the game [against Denmark], but we’re still top of the group, it’s still in our hands, so there’s no worry and no panic.”
The Three Lions will face a tough test against Slovenia, though, who are unbeaten in their last eight matches including friendlies, and have drawn both their games so far in this tournament against Denmark and Serbia. They were only denied victory over the latter by a 95th-minute equaliser from Luka Jović. Coach Matjaž Kek sounded confident about the England test, saying: “They are clear favourites, but so were the Danes and the Serbs.” It should be a fascinating match-up in Cologne.
Possible line-ups
England: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guéhi, Trippier; Gallagher, Bellingham, Rice; Foden, Kane, Saka
Misses next match if booked: Gallagher
Slovenia: Oblak; Karničnik, Drkušić, Bijol, Janža; Stojanović, Elšnik, Gnezda Čerin, Mlakar; Šporar, Šeško
Misses next match if booked: Celar, Janža, Stojanović, Vipotnik
Form guide
England:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): DWLWDL
Slovenia:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): DDDWWD
Expert predictions
Joe Terry, England reporter
After two performances where England’s midfield have struggled to assert themselves, it seems likely that Gareth Southgate will change things for Tuesday’s group decider. Reading into his comments that England are missing a player like Kalvin Phillips, i.e. a specialist in the double pivot, I wouldn’t be surprised if he switches to a 4-3-3, with Conor Gallagher picked to perform the role Jordan Henderson did so well for years. This would also serve to free up Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham as natural No8s.
Grega Sever, Slovenia reporter
After a draw with Serbia, who equalised with the last play of the game, Slovenia are still in the running for a place in the knockout stage. However, one of the tournament favourites, England, stand in their way. In this David vs Goliath scenario, Kek’s men will once more have to rely on their team spirit, relentless running, concentration and discipline. The key will be to withstand the expected English offensive, in the hope that Benjamin Šeško will make his mark in attack. Jan Oblak, Timi Elšnik and Adam Gnezda Čerin reportedly have injury concerns, but are all expected to be fit in time.
What the coaches say
Gareth Southgate, England coach: “It’s been good to have some time since the last game. We’ve been able to have more meetings and training time, but also talk with the players about the state of play at the moment: where we are, where our performances are and we’re all working together to try to improve that. We’ve got huge motivation. We haven’t played the way we want to yet and we have the opportunity to win the group. That could be very important. Our motivation level is never in doubt, especially not for this game.”
Matjaž Kek, Slovenia coach: “We are still masters of our destiny, with all due respect to England, who are an outstanding team. This will be the biggest challenge for this generation of players. But I am sure it will not be the last. We have calmed the nerves after Serbia, we have analysed the positives and negatives from that match. We are ready.”