England and Slovakia UAE-based fans have their say on Sunday’s Euro 2016 Group B match

Sport360 staff 18:49 20/06/2016
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  • England and Slovakia lock horns

    Ahead of their Group B clash in Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne on Monday, England and Slovakia UAE-based fans give their verdict on the game.

    To gain an insight into the mindset of the fans we asked UAE fans to share with us their predictions, likely line-ups and players to watch.

    Do you agree or have they missed the mark? Use #360Fans to share with us your thoughts.

    ENGLAND – Peter Redding (PR Manager, Dubai)

    Gareth Bale’s pre-match comments about England’s lack of quality may well have been the catalyst for last Thursday’s resilient come-from-behind victory over Wales. Roy Hodgson certainly showed the quality of strikers at his disposal as both Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy got on the scoresheet after coming off the bench.

    I’ve been a critic of Sturridge in the past but he made a difference, always making a nuisance of himself to the Welsh backline. It looked like one of those days and draw written all over it, but then bang, the Liverpool striker put Roy’s England back in the box seat. Hopefully the England boss will now take heed and start with a more adventurous line-up against Slovakia, Sturridge and Vardy could be the new Shearer and Sheringham!

    Joe Hart’s appalling attempt to stop Bale’s long-range free-kick was a bit of a worry, but it’s nothing new. Remember David Seaman at the 2002 World Cup? Happens to the best of them! It’s on to Slovakia now, a very tidy looking side who were very convincing in their 2-1 victory over Russia. A draw will probably be enough for both sides to progress so don’t be expecting fireworks!

    PREDICTION: England 2-0 Slovakia.

    LIKELY ENGLAND XI: Hart; Walker, Smalling, Cahill, Rose; Dier; Rooney, Alli, Lallana; Vardy, Sturridge

    ENGLAND PLAYER TO WATCH: Daniel Sturridge – His second-half performance against Wales really was excellent. The control and creativity he offered had been absent in the first half.

    SLOVAKIA PLAYER TO FEAR: Marek Hamsik – Scored an absolute pearler in the last game and has the talent to easily upset Messrs Cahill and Sterling at the back. If he has time on the ball he is a real threat.

    SLOVAKIA – Jozef Uhrovsky (Leadership Training Specialist, Dubai)

    The defeat against Wales was a real shock as we’d been confident of starting with a win so it was absolutely fantastic to see the players respond with a win against Russia that was more resounding than the 2-1 scoreline suggests.

    Slovakia played wonderfully against Russia, dominating the game and showing how dangerous our attacking assets can be. Vladimir Weiss and Marek Hamsik really demonstrated their supreme talent and now hopes are high that we can get the result against England to take us through to the knockout stages.

    England are on paper the toughest team I the group but we may be helped by the fact that a draw is enough to take both sides through. Roy Hodgson is ready to ring the changes and that’s music to our ears. A much-changed side could be ripe for beating, or at least for drawing with!

    PREDICTION: England 1-1 Slovakia.

    LIKELY SLOVAKIA XI: Kozacik; Pekarik, Skrtel, Durica, Hubocan; Weiss, Mak, Kucka, Hamsik, Hrosovsky; Duris

    SLOVAKIA PLAYER TO WATCH: Vladimir Weiss – The Qatar-based winger was outstanding against Russia, dovetailing really well with Marek Hamsik. He’s tricky, he’s fast and he can definitely cause England’s suspect full-backs some problems.

    ENGLAND PLAYER TO FEAR: Jamie Vardy – Nictoine patches and all, Vardy came into the tournament full of confidence and showed against Wales that even if he doesn’t start he retains his goalscoring touch. The Leicester striker is England’s best hope of breaching the Slovakian defence.

    WHERE TO WATCH: No Slovakian fan club unfortunately but Barasti always a favourite!

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