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The competition is tight in Group B of the Euro 2016, with England facing Slovakia and Wales playing Russia with qualification for the knockouts rounds on the line.
Let’s take a look at the match-ups, which will kick off in just a few hours.
How does the table look?
England currently top the group with four points and plus-one goal difference, Wales and Slovakia are tied second on three points with identical goal differences of zero, which leaves Russia bottom, on one point and minus-one goal difference.
Who can still qualify?
All nations can still mathematically qualify, with no team guaranteeing their place in the knockout stages.
Who’s favourite to qualify?
England will head into their final group match knowing that one point is all they need to secure their place in the knockouts, but a win would guarantee a first placed finish.
How can the others qualify?
All teams can still qualify as four of the top placed third finishers will proceed to the knockouts. Wales and Slovakia both face the same situation of winning their respective match and finishing on six points, possibly topping the group, or dropping points and hoping that the other team doesn’t pick up maximum points.
For Wales to qualify they would need to win and hope England either win or draw against Slovakia, leaving Slovakia hoping they finish as a top placed third team.
Alternatively, if Slovakia were to win and Wales dropped points the situation would be reversed with Wales then hoping to be a top placed third team.
For Russia the equation is far easier, anything less than a win and they will be sent packing. If Russian were to win, putting them on four points, they would need England to beat Slovakia. If Slovakia were to win or draw, Russia would be relying on their goal difference to see them finish second or as a top finishing third team.
England versus Slovakia
Both teams have had mixed bags when it’s come to their performances and results in France, experiencing heartbreak in different ways.
England did almost enough to beat Russia in a scrappy affair, with Aleksei Berezutski’s 92nd minute equaliser enough to seal a point for the Russians.
Slovakia conceded early to Wales before equalising just after the half-time interval. A strong period of possession in which they couldn’t produce a winning goal ultimately cost them they conceded late to go down 2-1.
With both teams winning their second matches 2-1, England coming from behind to beat Wales and Slovakia holding out a fast-finishing Russian team, they will be equally confident of being able to get the job done.
In terms of squads alone, England no doubt come in with a superior first choice XI, but with England rumoured to be resting up to six first team starters the competition swings back into the balance.
Slovakia’s main man without a doubt is Marek Hamsik and most of their attacking responsibilities rest on his capable shoulders. Even with so many starters being rested it is hard to see England having any troubles. The match is likely to end 3-1 to England.
Wales versus Russia
With everything still to play for, this game could be one of the best we’ve seen. Russia can’t settle for anything less than a win so an attacking line-up is expected from them, while Wales know if they can grab all three points they are in with a real shot of a top place finish.
Russia might be a better team on paper but there’s no doubting that the Wales squad is a more united and harmonious one which could ultimately prove the difference.
Russia requires an ultra-attacking mind frame and this combined with an ageing squad may leave them open to quick counter-attacks. That is where superstar Gareth Bale will be lethal.
In a match that is likely to be an end-to-end affair, it’s hard to see Russia getting the win. A 2-1 Wales victory is the likely result.
Final verdict
England will top the group with seven out of a possible nine points, with Wales qualifying in second with six out of nine points. Slovakia will finish third on three points.
Whether that is enough to see them through is yet to be decided but depending on results, four is looking like the points haul a third placed team will need to qualify. Russia will finish last in a disappointing campaign that only saw them pick up a singular point.
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