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European Championship | Qualifiers
Jun 14, 2015 at 5pm UK
 
EN

2-3

Novakovic (37'), Pecnik (84')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Wilshere (57', 73'), Rooney (86')

Preview: Slovenia vs. England

:Headline: Preview: Slovenia vs. England: ID:227697: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews Sundays Euro 2016 qualifier in Ljubljana as England begin the second round of fixtures with a trip to Slovenia.

As the second round of fixtures in Euro 2016 approaches, no-one has a better record than England, who next travel to face Slovenia in Ljubljana on Sunday.

Roy Hodgson's side are one of just two with a 100% record - the other surprisingly being Slovakia - and they will be confident of making it six wins out of six in two days' time.


Slovenia

Slovenia have only reached the finals of the European Championship once when they fell out at the group stage in 2000, but they are in with a good chance of being in France next summer.

At the halfway mark of qualifying they are level on points with Switzerland, six adrift of runaway leaders England.

Their campaign began with a sluggish 1-0 defeat in Estonia, but since then they have conceded none in victories over Switzerland, Lithuania and San Marino and are the only side to have scored against England in qualifying.

This will be Slovenia's first game in almost three months, with their last match - a 1-0 friendly defeat to Qatar - coming after they spanked Group E minnows San Marino 6-0 in their last qualifier.

If Srecko Katanec's side do manage to reach the finals, it will be the first tournament that they will have qualified for since reaching the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Recent Euro 2016 qualifying form: LWWLW
Recent form (all competitions): WWLLWL


England

Hodgson's men are cruising to the finals after a near-perfect first half of qualifying.

As mentioned, Slovenia are the only side to score against them - and even that was an own goal - and no side has scored more than England's 15.

In fact, England haven't been beaten in 17 European Championship matches after going out of the 2012 tournament on penalties to Italy.

In Danny Welbeck, they have the top scorer in qualifying, but the Arsenal man won't be able to add to that this time as he is missing with a knee injury.

His former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney has scored four times in qualifying and needs just two more to equal the all-time Three Lions scoring record held by Sir Bobby Charlton.

Despite their exemplary form in qualifying, the Three Lions are without a win in two games having drawn 1-1 in Italy back in March before being held to a bore draw by the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Sunday.

Recent Euro 2016 qualifying form: WWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWWDD


Team News

As mentioned, Welbeck won't be able to add to his impressive qualifying haul and could be replaced in the frontline by Theo Walcott after his impressive end to the season with Arsenal.

Hodgson must choose two of Jack Wilshere, Fabian Delph and James Milner to start with Jordan Henderson in midfielder, while further back Phil Jones might drop out if Nathaniel Clyne returns at right-back.

The hosts, meanwhile, have no major injury concerns.

Katanec has a tough choice to make in goal, though, with usual number one Samir Handanovic being put under pressure by Jan Oblak, who broke into the first team at Atletico Madrid this season.

Slovenia possible starting lineup:
Handanovic; Brecko, Cesar, Ilic, Jokic; Mertelj, Rotman; Ilicic, Kampi, Birsa; Novakovic

England possible starting lineup:
Hart; Clyne, Smalling, Cahill, Bertrand; Milner, Henderson, Delph; Walcott, Rooney, Sterling


Head To Head

England have won all three of their previous meetings with Slovenia, all of which have come in the last six years.

After a goalless first half in November's reverse, the visitors took a surprise lead when Henderson headed into his own net, but England were soon on level terms through Rooney and ran out 3-1 winners thanks to a brace from Welbeck.


We say: Slovenia 0-2 England

England were far from convincing in Dublin last weekend, but their record in qualifying has been superb so far. Hodgson will be keen for his side to make it six wins out of six and edge ever closer to securing their place in France.



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