Wales and Northern Ireland have both impressed at Euro 2016 but for one of these British teams, the road ends here, at their round of 16 clash
Can a Gareth Bale led Wales side go even further or will Northern Ireland stop them in their tracks?
We take a look at the main topics of discussion ahead of the knockout tie…
CAN WALES HANDLE FAVOURITES TAG?
It is not often the Welsh head into a game with bookmakers expecting them to progress. And, if their qualification journey to France is anything to go by, it is not a status which sits easy with them.
They failed to beat Israel at home in September when victory would have guaranteed qualification, with a stalemate in that contest coming either side of less-than-convincing victories over Andorra. Can Chris Coleman’s side cope with the expectation?
WILL BALE BE STOPPED?
The only man to score in each of the three group-stage games was absent during the 1-1 draw with the Northern Irish back in March. Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill had a tinge of regret that his team would not face the challenge of the 26-year-old Real Madrid forward then, though the last 16 of a major tournament is not an ideal testing ground.
Northern Ireland did an excellent job nullifying Robert Lewandowski and Ukraine’s wingers, though, something they will be encouraged by.
WHO WILL DOMINATE MIDFIELD?
Northern Ireland have ceded at least 60 per cent of possession in each of their three contests so far while
the Welsh had to weather an English storm in their only Group B defeat. In Joe Allen and Steven Davis, both nations have an under-appreciated Premier League midfielder capable of dictating the play if given plenty of the ball.
“Possession doesn’t win you a game, it depends what you do with it,” Coleman said. In that respect, both teams will be hoping Allen and Davis can set the tempo for their respective sides.
Joe Allen at #euro2016:
— lfcstuff (@stuffIfc) June 21, 2016
100% take-ons (6/6)
87% pass accuracy
9 interceptions
4 chances created
1 assist. #lfc. [squawka]
SHOULD O’NEILL SHAKE THINGS UP?
Northern Ireland’s energy-sapping 1-0 loss to Germany in the same venue came four days before this fixture
and a lot of O’Neill’s unchanged team looked to be running on empty.
Defender Aaron Hughes, 36, may lack the legs to keep tabs on Bale from right-back, with Manchester United’s Paddy McNair, 21, perhaps a more shrewd option, while switching Conor Washington for Kyle Lafferty should be another consideration.
Michael O'Neill, Northern Ireland coach: "It was a fantastic performance in a magnificent stadium." #NIR #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/ojwel516NQ
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 17, 2016
CAN MCGOVERN KEEP UP IMPRESSIVE FORM?
Michael McGovern has made a tournament-high 15 saves so far and is one of the biggest factors in Northern Ireland’s qualification for the round of 16. Clubs are lining up for his service too but can the goalkeeper prove his worth by continuing his remarkable form with the pressure of the knockout phase?
He performed phenomenally in the group games but perhaps Michael O’Neill needs to take a look at his defence and get them more organised. McGovern can’t be expected to face a barrage of attacks and keep pulling off saves.
