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The European Championships in Germany have been a rip-roaring success once again, with some of the biggest sides from across the continent producing some super performances, with the group stages hotting up.
With hosts Germany looking the part, Spain’s next generation of talent coming to the fore and usual suspects France and Portugal showing their teeth too, there is a familiarity to the big names putting in the big performances at Euro 2024.
However, pre-tournament favourites England have been trending in the right direction in major tournaments over the past few seasons, exemplified by their run to the final at Euro 2020.
With a wealth of Premier League talent within their squad, many betting sites and bookmakers have earmarked England as the team to beat at Euro 2024, anticipating they could go one better than their runners-up spot at Euro 2020.
Throwing the likes of Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid and Harry Kane at Bayern Munich into the mix, England’s favouritism to lift the trophy on July 14th was very much justified by punters and bookmakers alike, with plenty of top betting bonuses at big sportsbooks backing the Three Lions to go all the way.
So far in Euro 2024 though, Gareth Southgate’s side have underwhelmed. The tournament is still young but with two games played, England only have 4 points in Group C but their destiny at the tournament is still very much in their own hands.
Few nations are burdened with the weight of expectation that England are though and they know that they need to start performing now, if they are to silence the doubters and clinch England’s first major tournament victory, since their World Cup triumph back in 1966.
Is Southgate Still The One?
Getting the best out of England at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia saw the Barmy Army of England fans adorn Gareth Southgate with his very own song and backing that up and taking the Three Lions to the final of Euro 2020, elevated Southgate to legendary status in England.
However, three years on and with results beginning to dry up a little, plenty of England fans are beginning to question whether he is still the one to bring football ‘home’ again.
The wealth of talent at Southgate’s disposal here at Euro 2024 is arguably richer than it ever has been before, with the likes of Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka in his ranks – both largely regarded as two of the best young talents in the Premier League and beyond.
So far at Euro 2024, England have looked a little lost tactically and Southgate will need to demonstrate all of his managerial knowhow to get the very best out of his men, with some key fixtures to come.
Silky Slovenes
For all the scrutiny and pressure heaped on England, Slovenia are in a completely different boat, with their fan out in force in Germany and enjoying every minute of taking part in Euro 2024.
Two solid draws against Serbia and Denmark have given Slovenia a genuine chance of reaching the knockout rounds, a remarkable achievement for the least populus country in the tournament at just over 2 million people.
Facing England in Cologne is a tough ask for Slovenia, but they have plenty of dangerous players in their ranks and they won’t fear this assignment, especially with all of the pressure on the Three Lions to reach the last 16.
Who Can Fix England’s Problems?
Following a bland draw with Denmark in their second group game, plenty of questions were asked of England and the personnel they have utilised so far at Euro 2024.
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has failed to impart himself in a midfield three alongside Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice and England look to be chasing an answer in the centre of the park as they look to control the tempo of the game.
Conor Gallagher and Adam Wharton are being discussed as midfield options if Alexander-Arnold was to miss out against Slovenia, whilst Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka in forward areas are also being touted by Jarred Bowen and Anthony Gordon, as Southgate could look to freshen things up.