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4 months ago
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BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has been looking at England v Slovakia and the other seven matches to be placed in the last 16 stage of the 2024 European Championships.
Less than inspiring performances, only one win and two goals scored in their three group stage matches.
However, somehow Gareth Southgate and England still fluking top spot in the weak group.
Not only that, Southgate’s incredible luck continued as England ended up in such an on paper at least, soft half of the draw, with the likes of Germany, Spain, Portugal and France all in the other half.
The big question of course is, can Gareth Southgate and England take advantage of their outstanding good fortune.
Can Southgate throw off his ultra-defensive shackles of negativity, select a starting eleven and tactics that will release the undoubted potential…
Chris Sutton talking to BBC Sport:
‘Some of the criticism of England and especially Gareth Southgate at these Euros has been way over the top.
There seems to have been an instant judgement made of them at this tournament despite them winning their group. Their performances have not been there yet but finishing top was the first objective, and they have achieved that.
Now we are into the knockout stages and the draw has really opened up for them with France, Spain, Germany and Portugal all on the opposite side.
If I was an England player now – and I do have some experience to call on here because I am thinking back to my one cap against Cameroon in 1997 – then I would be thinking that we have not played to our capabilities yet, and what an opportunity this is.
It is not always the team who starts a tournament the best who go on to win it – look at Portugal in 2016, who began with three draws against Iceland, Austria and Hungary.
We all know England can get better, and this is a game they should win.
I covered Slovakia in their first game at these Euros – their surprise win over Belgium – and they are well structured and well-drilled but lack the kind of standout individuals they have had in the past with players such as my old Celtic team-mate Lubomir Moravcik and, more recently, Marek Hamsik.
Slovakia will try to pick their moments but, if England score early, they should win pretty comfortably.
I’m expecting Southgate to make one change from the team that drew with Slovenia and choose Kobbie Mainoo instead of Conor Gallagher in midfield.
I actually want him to pick Cole Palmer, whose creativity in the 20 minutes he played in that game made England look a far more potent team, as his number 10… but I don’t think he will.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-0′
All eight BBC Sport Chris Sutton predictions:
Saturday 29 June
Switzerland 0 Italy 1
Germany 2 Denmark 0
Sunday 30 June
England 2 Slovakia 0
Spain 3 Georgia 1
Monday 1 July
France 1 Belgium 0
Portugal 3 Slovenia 0
Tuesday 2 July
Romania 1 Holland 3
Austria 3 Turkey 1

 
