Euro 2024 LIVE: England v Slovakia updates, tips and betting insight

I am Liam Flin, a football tipster here at Racing Post Sport, and over the next few hours I will be running this live betting blog for England vs Slovakia in the last 16 of Euro 2024.

This blog will be your ultimate betting companion for this evening's match featuring the latest odds, betting analysis and in-play tips.

Teams will be announced at 4pm BST, one hour before kick-off, but what changes can we expect to see from Gareth Southgate?

To win a major tournament you need luck on your side and England have already had their fair share at Euro 2024.

Despite underwhelming draws with Denmark and Slovenia, England finished top of Group C with five points and have landed in the softer half of the draw, avoiding Germany, France, Spain, Portugal and Belgium in their segment.

But this is no time for complacency and everyone seems to have their own view on how Gareth Southgate should set England up in the knockout stage - should Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka remain on the flanks? Is Kobbie Mainoo the man to solve England's midfield conundrum?

So many questions… let's hope England provide some answers this evening.

Latest match odds: England 4-9, Slovakia 17-2, Draw 100-30

To qualify: England 1-5, Slovakia 9-2

Kobbie Mainoo is expected to start for England vs SlovakiaCredit: Eddie Keogh - The FA

For those looking to have a bet this afternoon, be sure to check out this terrific sign-up offer from Paddy Power!

I'll be on hand with some in-play tips throughout the match this evening but if you haven't already, be sure to check out James Milton's pearls of wisdom in the Racing Post Sport betting preview for England vs Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen.

Read our full preview : England vs Slovakia prediction, betting tips and odds + get 35-1 for England to qualify with Paddy Power 

Despite some underwhelming performances in the group stage, England are expected to ease past Slovakia this evening. 

Check out the latest betting for their tournament progression…

To reach quarter-finals - 1-6

To reach semi-finals - 4-6

To reach the final - 6-4

To win Euro 2024 - 7-2

How far do you think England will get at Euro 2024 based on what you have seen so far? If you want to share any thoughts, do get in touch via liveblog@racingpost.com. 

If this evening's game is anything like England's group matches, it could be hard to stay awake but for those looking to make things more interesting, have a look at James Milton's 6-1 Bet Builder tip for the clash in Gelsenkirchen.

Read the full Bet Builder preview: Bet builder tips and predictions for England vs Slovakia 

Those hoping for a radical overhaul of the England lineup will be disappointed.

No 3-4-3s or anything fancy from Gareth Southagte. Kobbie Mainoo comes in for Conor Gallagher in midfield but the Three Lions are otherwise unchanged.

England team to play Slovakia (4-3-3) : Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Rice, Mainoo, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Foden.

Gareth Southgate replaces Conor Gallagher with Kobbie MainooCredit: Richard Pelham

Asked why he has stuck with the same core of players throughout Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate said: "Those players over a period of time have proved to be our best. We saw signs that the attacking play was starting to come together both in the last game and on the training pitch in the last few days.

"But we also have good players on the bench to be able to change things."

Southgate also expects Slovakia to play attacking football against England and there is reason to believe that will be the case. Slovakia managed 37 shots during the group stage - nine more than England. 

Both teams to score is 11-8 and over 2.5 goals is priced at 8-11.

Lukas Haraslin to have a shot on target (10/11 with Paddy Power)

Time for the first tip of the afternoon and I think Lukas Haraslin is worth backing to steer an effort on target.

Slovakia are a more attacking side than any of the teams England faced in Group C and winger Haraslin managed two shots in each of Slovakia's group games against Belgium, Ukraine and Romania.

Lukas Haraslin could muster a shot on target against EnglandCredit: Justin Setterfield

Two pass masters go up against each other in this match. Declan Rice is 5/6 with bet365 to make 71 passes or more against Slovakia, while Napoli ace Stanislav Lobotka is 5/6 to make 46 passes or more with the same firm.

Just under half hour until kick-off and Paddy Power have a great offer for new customers...

If you're assembling a Bet Builder, firstly remember to check out James Milton's picks : Bet builder tips and predictions for England vs Slovakia.

Secondly, here is a look at the starters leading the way for shots in the England and Slovakia camps.

England

Harry Kane - 8 (3 on target)

Phil Foden - 7 (2 on target)

Bukayo Saka - 3 (0 on target)

Slovakia

Juraj Kucka - 8 (2 on target)

Lukas Haraslin - 6 (4 on target)

David Strelec - 5 (1 on target)

Harry Kane has managed eight shots for England at Euro 2024Credit: Stu Forster

National anthems done and the game is underway in Gelsenkirchen! The winners of this tie will face Switzerland in the quarter-finals.

Which England team will turn up today? I'll be on hand throughout the game to bring you in-play tips and betting analysis. Let's go!

England are 2-5 to win, the draw is 3-1 and Slovakia are 8-1. 

First card of the game already - Marc Guehi goes into the book for his challenge on David Strelec after a poor pass from Kieran Trippier.

It is 16-5 with Paddy Power that there is a red card in this match.

Moments later Slovakia have a chance at the other end with David Hancko's effort just going wide of the post.

In-play tip: Over 1.5 first-half goals (3-1 general)

The first ten minutes of this match have been lively, producing two yellow cards - Kobbie Mainoo was the second to go into the book - and some promising moves from both sides.

This already looks different to England's group-stage assignments and over 1.5 first-half goals looks a value pick at 3-1.

Juraj Kucka is the latest to be booked and the card count hits three before the 14th minute! Here is a look at the latest in the cards markets...

Over 5.5 cards - 1-3

Over 6.5 cards - 20-23

Over 7.5 cards - 11-5

Over 8-5 cards - 5-1

Slovakia midfielder Juraj KuckaCredit: Charles McQuillan - UEFA

Anyone who had a bet on cards in this match is laughing! Jude Bellingham makes it four yellows already - referee Umut Meler is not messing about.

GOAL! 

Slovakia are in front in Gelsenkirchen. England's creaking defence lets Slovakia through again and it is winger Ivan Schranz who pokes home his third goal of Euro 2024.

England out to 6-4 to win this match in 90 minutes, the draw is 21-10 and Slovakia are 9-5.

There have been seven shots in this game so far but England are yet to put one on target and their expected-goals figure is still a miserly 0.16 - this match may be more lively but is it the same old story for the Three Lions?

England out to 19-10 to win in 90 minutes with BoyleSports. 

They are also 11-4 with Paddy Power not to score.

And that is half-time in Gelsenkirchen. England are 45 minutes away from a surprise exit at Euro 2024 - can they turn things around after the break?

Ivan Schranz's third goal of the tournament is the difference between the sides. England put some pressure on late in the first half with a couple of corners but they came to no avail and they still have not had a shot on target.

Boos ring around the Veltins-Arena and England are out to 5-2 to win in 90 minutes and are 10-11 to reach the quarter-finals.

Gareth Southgate's England have work to do against SlovakiaCredit: James Gill - Danehouse