The second day of last-16 action from Germany will see the two current favourites for outright glory take to the stage and bid to reach the quarter-finals.
Despite some dismal group-stage displays, England have moved back into favouritism for the title after landing on the easier side of the draw, having somehow topped their group.
A last-16 clash with Slovakia, who shocked many by qualifying for the knockouts at all, is the Three Lions’ reward and they will be looking to silence their critics in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.
By topping their group, England have avoided the side of the draw that contains France, Germany, Portugal, Belgium and Spain, all of whom are filled to the brim with stars and were tipped to some extent prior to the tournament’s start.
Spain, one of the sides in that difficult half of the draw, have been made second favourites for glory after being the only side to enjoy a perfect group stage, despite being in arguably the most difficult section alongside Italy and Croatia.
They will take on Georgia, who miraculously made it out of their group by beating Portugal on the final matchday and who will be keen to keep their sensational journey in their first ever tournament appearance alive.
Both games promise to be incredibly intriguing, and we have provided you with our best tips for each of Sunday’s ties.
ENGLAND VS SLOVAKIA
- BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
- PETER PEKARIK TO BE BOOKED
- KOBBIE MAINOO TO BE NAMED PLAYER OF THE MATCH
SPAIN VS GEORGIA
- SPAIN TO WIN AND OVER 2.5 GOALS
- ALVARO MORATA TO SCORE
- GURAM KASHIA TO BE BOOKED
England vs Slovakia
Back Both Teams To Score
To say England were poor in the group stage would probably be an understatement.
Gareth Southgate’s men were devoid of creativity, unable to utilise set-pieces effectively and allowed a huge 25 shots in their three group-stage games, despite facing Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia, who were all happy to sit deep and defend for large periods.
They will be keen to put in a big performance and silence their doubters by thrashing Slovakia, but the Sokoli will be no pushovers.
Slovakia netted in all three of their group games and registered an impressive 37 shots across those matches. They scored 15 goals - including four against an Iceland side which beat England 1-0 earlier this month - in their six matches prior to the tournament and were the only team to net against Portugal in qualifying.
They definitely have the tools to hurt the Three Lions, who themselves have more than enough talent to net in Gelsenkirchen, so an exciting game with goals at both ends could unfold on Sunday.
Pekarik A Probable Card Recipient
Plenty of players have shown that age is just a number at Euro 2024, especially Portugal’s 41-year-old Pepe, but one who has slipped under is Slovakia’s Peter Pekarik.
The 37-year-old right-back played at least 90 minutes in each of his side’s group games, coping relatively well against the tricky Jeremy Doku and Chelsea’s speed demon Mykhailo Mudryk against Belgium and Ukraine respectively.
He was, however, booked three times in qualifying and could struggle against England’s exceptional array of wingers.
Phil Foden is likely to start on the left and will wear Pekarik down with his mazy runs and quick feet. And, after that torture, the last thing the veteran will want to see is the introduction of Anthony Gordon.
The Newcastle winger is incredibly quick, a direct runner and capable of going on both feet, Pekarik may struggle against the Three Lions and looks a big price to pick up his first card of the summer.
Mainoo May Get Starring Role
Kobbie Mainoo was introduced at half-time in England’s final group game against Slovenia and he may be rewarded with a start after a dazzling display in midfield.
The Manchester United youngster was solid throughout his 45 minutes and had a huge part in England’s biggest chance of the game with a delightful backheel to Harry Kane which resulted in a tame Cole Palmer effort.
He is a big price to be named man of the match against Slovakia, but if he can dominate the midfield again and positively impact the game, he could receive the plaudits he deserves.
KOBBIE MAINOO TO BE NAMED PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Spain vs Georgia
La Roja Ready To Dominate
Spain enjoyed a perfect group stage, scoring five goals and conceding none, and they should prove far too strong for Georgia on Sunday.
La Roja netted three against a solid Croatia side and should have scored more than the one they managed against Italy in a game where they had a mammoth 20 shots, nine of which hit the target.
Georgia did net two against Portugal in their final group game though, and may help bring up a high scoring total in Cologne. The Crusaders netted in defeat both times when facing Spain in qualifying, and could repeat that feat on Sunday.
Although, given Spain’s strong performances so far and the fact that the first of those Georgian defeats came by a 7-1 scoreline, going with a La Roja win and over 2.5 goals may be a safer bet than backing the same result with both teams to score.
SPAIN TO WIN AND OVER 2.5 GOALS
Spanish Skipper To Lead By Example
Alvaro Morata netted three of Spain’s seven goals in their rout of Georgia in September and he could have a big impact against the Crusaders again.
The Spanish skipper opened his Euro 2024 account with a well-taken finish against Croatia but has yet to kick on since.
However, his goal record of six in 13 starts under Luis de la Fuente is impressive, and he should be backed to punish a Georgian defence which has conceded four times at the tournament already.
Kashia To Be Carded
With Morata eager to score and Spain playing some excellent football, Georgia’s centre-backs may have their work cut out in Cologne.
Guram Kashia will play in the middle of the Crusaders’ back three and, being 36 years old, he could struggle with Morata’s clever movement, as well as the late runs into the box from Pedri and Fabian Ruiz in midfield.
The veteran defender was booked against Czech Republic in the group stage and was cautioned three times in qualifying, making him a solid bet to go into the referee’s book on Sunday.
