1st vs 2nd as England play Czech Republic in tonight’s fixtures, with their European Championship group coming to an end.
Image: Brian Minkoff London-Pixels
Southgate, however, will be without left back, Ben Chilwell, and attacking midfielder, Mason Mount. The Chelsea duo are forced to isolate, after they were pictured coming into contact with clubmate Billy Gilmour, who has tested positive for COVID-19, at the end of England’s match against Scotland.
Both have since tested negative.
Mount has been ever present so far for England this campaign, whereas Chilwell is yet to feature.
Due to results yesterday, The Three Lions are guaranteed a place in the last 16. Their fixture today, however, will decide their placing in the group, which will be all important for who they play in the knockout stages.
Gareth Southgate’s men currently sit 2nd level on points with the Czechs, but with a worse goal difference.
A win today would guarantee top spot for England, meaning they’d face the runner up of Group F, ‘seen as the group of death’, on Wednesday 29 June at Wembley.
At time of writing this would be Joachim Low’s Germany side, but could also be World Cup champions France or holders Portugal, who will play each other tomorrow.
A draw would secure 2nd place for Southgate’s side, meaning they’d face the runners up of Group E in Copenhagen next Monday (21 June).
Currently occupying that spot are Slovakia, who are up against Spain in their final fixture. The other match in that group will be group leaders Sweden who play Poland, with any of the four teams still able to finish second.
A surprise loss for England, combined with a Scotland or Croatia win bettering their goal difference, would drop them down to third.
In this scenario, they will either meet Group A winners Netherlands in Budapest on Sunday, Group B winners Belgium in Seville later that day or the winner of the aforementioned Group E in Glasgow a weeks time.
Both Slovakia and England come into the game looking to maintain an unbeaten record.
England beat 2018 World Cup runners up Croatia 1-0 in their opening fixture, but were held to a 0-0 stalemate with rivals Scotland.
Czech Republic started the tournament with an impressive 2-0 win over the Scots, thanks to a Patrik Schick double, including a strike from near the halfway line. The Czech then went onto earn a point against Croatia, Schick again opening the scoring, with a penalty, before Ivan Perisic levelled the game just after halftime.
The match will kick off at 20:00 and will be shown live on ITV1.
