It is the match of the Euro 2016 group stage we have all been waiting as England are set to face Wales in a match that cold have big ramifications for Group B. Domenic Favata is in Lens.
A war of words has erupted between the two camps during the week, with Welsh wizard Gareth Bale lighting the spark by claiming no English player would make the Welsh starting eleven.
Of course these comments have dominated much of the commentary around the match, but come Thursday afternoon at the Stade Felix Bollaert-Deleli in Lens.
Key Battle – Chris Smalling/Gary Cahill vs Gareth Bale
The main focal point for the Welsh team is of course Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale, the most expensive footballer in the world. Bale has quite a flexible role in the Wales team, named top as a left or right forward who can rotate and float pretty much anywhere in the attacking third. The unspoken word in the Welsh camp is pretty much being mobile enough to get the ball to Bale and
Aaron Ramsey and allow them to do their thing. The task of stopping Bale will likely fall to a collective effort between England centre-backs Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill, with Eric Dier also expected to track back and screen Bale on his forward runs. A seismic task it is, but one that must be at least broken-even if England are to emerge from this match victorious.
Team News
The only change that England really could make would be to drop Harry Kane to the bench and start Jamie Vardy, but after just one poor game, it is expected Roy Hodgson will afford the Spurs star another chance. The other change could be for Raheem Sterling to make way and perhaps an extra midfielder added to allow Rooney to play in a more advanced role, but that would mean an unlikely change in system.There are no major injuries to report and Hodgson will likely deploy the 4-1-2-3 formation again with Wayne Rooney in midfield.
Chris Coleman can hardly be expected to change a winning formula and there are no major injury reports which would alter the starting lineup. Wales should again line up in a mobile back five with with Ramsey and Bale joined by Jonathan Williams up top. Coleman could be tempted to reward Hal Robson-Kanu with a start after his goal in the last match but will likely opt for the same approach as the Slovakia game.
Head-to-Head
England and Wales have played each other 101 times, with England winning 66 of them and Wales just 14.
England’s biggest win over the Welsh came at Cardiff Arms Park in 1896, in which you’ll surely remember the legendary Steve Bloomer’s five-goal salvo for the Three Lions.
In competitive fixtures, these two have never met at a major tournament but have clashed 10 times in qualifying for either the Euros or the World Cup.
Last Meeting
England 1 Wales 0 (Euro 2012 Qualifier)
These two sides last met on 6 September 2011 in a Euro 2012 qualifier, with England securing a 1-0 win thanks to a last-gasp winner from Ashley Young at Wembley.
Managed by Fabio Capello at the time, England were frustrated by Wales in a bruising affair in London.
Prediction
England were better than their result suggested against Russia but still they seem to lack the conviction and winning mentality that a top side does. All the pressure will be on the Three Lions heading into this game with Wales winning their first match, meaning they can sit back, absorb and frustrate Roy Hodgson’s men. Expect this to be a tight, tense scoring draw.
England 2 Wales 2
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