England will go for the kill against Slovakia in this Group B encounter of Euro 2016 in Saint-Etienne. England came back from a goal down against Wales in the last match to win the tie 2-1. Half-time substitutes Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge led the comeback which will give England manager Roy Hodgson a welcome selection dilemma ahead of the match.
Slovakia themselves go into this encounter on the back of a win which saw midfielder Marek Hamsik score a potential ‘Goal of the Tournament’ against Russia which they won 2-1. They never really looked in pressure in the game against Russia and Slovakia coach Jan Kozak is expected to field an unchanged side in this tie.
A win is important for both the teams as neither have their place in the knockout stages sealed yet. A win for the Three Lions would take them top of the group and give them a favourable draw against a third-placed team of another group in the Round of 16.
We take a look 5 players who could make a difference in this encounter.
1) Wayne Rooney
Rumour has it that Wayne Rooney will be rested for tonight’s game against Slovakia. However, it is unlikely that Roy Hodgson will dare to bench the England captain for the entire game where England haven’t secured a Round of 16 berth yet.
With all to play for this match, Rooney’s role will be crucial for England’s chances to progress as table toppers. Though not the same player he once was, Rooney is still an integral and indispensable element of the team. He is an all-round player who can easily play in midfield and control games from there as he showed against Russia and Wales.
Rooney’s best position is in the hole behind the striker though Hodgson indicated that he might put him up front as a striker. The England captain will have to play further up the pitch than he did against Wales.
He often went too deep into the midfield searching for the ball and trying to create chances for his team. However, his strength lies in delivering the final ball and his finish which would be taken away from him if he ventured too far back. Finding little pockets of space between the double line of defence that Slovakia is set to apply and delivering the final ball to Vardy or Sturridge or perhaps go for it himself will be Rooney’s role in the match where England fans would hope he excels.
2) Marek Hamsik
Marek Hamsik has been the star man for Slovakia in this year’s European Championships. The Napoli midfielder is a few rungs above the rest in the Slovakian line-up and even his coach Jan Kozak recently said that "he deserves a bigger club for his performances", which was very evident after his brilliant performance against Russia where he scored a brace which might well be the goal of the tournament.
Hamsik’s superb goal which came from a short corner only indicates that the England full-backs will have a hard time shackling this midfielder.
With England poised to see most of the ball, Hamsik’s vision and touch will be an important asset for Slovakia in leading the counter attacks. The midfielder is the single most important player for Slovakia and his performance will give Slovakia a chance to notch up points against England.
3) Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy’s fairytale run continues in Euro 2016 after having achieved the impossible with Leicester City last season where they won the English Premier League amidst a host of heavyweights.
From a non-League footballer to representing England in the European Championships is a story in itself which he will want to build upon by winning the title for the Three Lions in France.
Vardy came on as a half-time substitute against Wales and made an immediate impact by levelling the match 1-1. Roy Hodgson is set to give Vardy a starting berth after both Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane failed to impress in the first two matches.
Perhaps more feared than Kane at the moment because of his form, Vardy brings in the energy and fighting mentality of Leicester City in this England team, something they need to do well in the rest of the competition.
4) Martin Skrtel
Martin Skrtel has forfeited friendship with his Liverpool teammates ahead of the clash between Slovakia and England and is ready to kick Daniel Sturridge if need be. “In a game like this there are no such things as ‘friends’”, he admitted. “If that means having to kick him if he is through on goal, then yes. Of course, I will,” Skrtel added.
The duel between Skrtel and Sturridge will be an exciting one as Sturridge, with all his pace, will try to go past the 31-year-old defender time and again and it will be interesting to see what Skrtel does to stop him.
The Slovakia captain will have his hands full in the encounter against an England team which possesses a lot of pace. With Vardy and Sturridge to contain, his job will be to organise his defence well so that he leaves no gaps for the English players to penetrate.
Skrtel’s performance will be the key in Slovakia’s attempt to nullify the England attack and he will have to be the player to lead them to the test.
5) Daniel Sturridge
Daniel Sturridge is all set to start against Slovakia tonight after scoring the winner against Wales which saw England come from a goal down to win the fixture 2-1.
The Liverpool forward could do it all by himself on his day and England will be hoping that he does against Slovakia. Daniel Sturridge came on as a substitute at half-time and was given a free role by Roy Hodgson. He would often go to the wings, and even go deeper into midfield searching for the ball.
He proved himself to be the match-winner when he scored in injury time to give England the win against Wales and the Three Lions will hope Sturridge reproduces his performance against Slovakia as well.
Martin Skrtel confessed that he would not hesitate to kick Sturridge if need arises which would make the Sturridge-Skrtel duel an interesting one, one he would want to win.
