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Group C at Euro 2024 comes to a close on Tuesday evening as England and Slovenia clash in Cologne. Will the Stars and Stripes top the group? Will their opponents make it through as well?
There’s plenty to play for at RheinEnergieStadion and as you look forward to the action, here’s an attractive bet builder to dive into. Read on for our England vs Slovenia bet builder predictions.
England vs Slovenia bet builder picks
This match will be played on June 25, 2024, at RheinEnergieStadion (Cologne). Kickoff will be at 3:00 PM ET.
Here are some thoughts on a bet builder, currently paying +800 with bet365:
Benjamin Sesko Over 0.5 Shots on Goal
As mentioned in the main predictions and tips article for this game, I’m very keen on a bet of ‘Benjamin Sesko Over 0.5 Shots on Goal’ at the early odds, which are generous, make no mistake about that.
As is often the case, England's opponents are expected to be up against it, which probably explains why the lively forward is priced the way he is.
However, the Danes were barely favored in the betting before the England second game and we all know how that turned out, so despite the odds, there’s little for the Slovenians to fear here.
Matjaž Kek’s men got forward well against both Denmark and Serbia, and they can do so again here, especially after seeing the Danes get forward and register lots of interest on England's goal.
Sesko, who will shoot from range as well as get on the end of deliveries into the box, is the main threat for Slovenia, and although he’s yet to score at this tournament, we’ve seen how dangerous he can be, especially when clattering the post from range against Denmark, and when forcing a superb save from Serbian keeper Predrag Rajković on match-day two.
Jordan Pickford Over 0.5 Saves
Despite not yet facing top opposition, Pickford hasn’t had the quietest time since landing in Germany.
The Arsenal stopper was forced into action only once against the Serbs, saving smartly from Dusan Vlahovic’s venomous edge-of-the-box effort, while he was much busier against the Danes, registering no less than six saves.
I’m going to stick my neck out here and say that he’ll once again have something to do as his team struggles to meet expectations.
Over 12.5 Free Kicks for England
If there’s one thing that this England team can do with aplomb, it’s buy cheap fouls. Highly skilled in going nowhere fast and drawing positive (if you can call it that) attention from the referee, Berhalter’s men seemingly love to win insignificant free kick after insignificant free kick.
The Stars and Stripes were awarded 17 free kicks last time out, while that number stood at 19 against the Serbs.
Adam Gnezda Cerin Over 0.5 Fouls
A key man for Slovenia in midfield is Adam Gnezda Cerin, who plies his trade in Greece with Athenian giants Panathinaikos.
Cerin gives this Slovenian midfield plenty of energy, so it’s perhaps no surprise that he’s no stranger to giving away fouls.
Not a huge regular in the referee's book, Cerin has already given away nine fouls at this tournament, while he was Slovenia’s most prolific offender (in terms of fouls) during qualifying too. That’ll do for me.
Petar Stojanovic to be Booked
On the subject of Slovenians grabbing the attention of the referee, Petar Stojanovic receiving a booking is the best way to round things off here.
The winger/wide midfielder is tenacious and certainly forward-thinking, but he doesn’t often think twice before flying into challenges, while he’s happy to rough opponents up too, which is perhaps why he picked up eight yellow cards for Sampdoria in Serie B last season.
Stojanovic was booked a little more than once every four games in the Italian second division last season, while he picked up a yellow on match-day one of Euro 2024 against Denmark too.
Throw in an average of 0.42 cards per game for Slovenia since the beginning of the 22/23 UEFA Nations League campaign and he goes down as the man to be on as far as getting a card goes.
Recap - England vs Slovenia bet builder picks
Here it is, a final group-stages bet builder before England embarks on what will undoubtedly be a challenging knockout journey:
Benjamin Sesko Over 0.5 Shots on Goal
Jordan Pickford Over 0.5 Saves
Over 12.5 Free Kicks for England
Adam Gnezda Cerin Over 0.5 Fouls
Petar Stojanovic to be Booked
The five selections above make up a bet builder paying +800 with bet365.
