These two teams met in Group B at Euro 2016 and played out a boring 0-0 draw. Hopefully this World Cup qualifier will be a more entertaining affair.
Despite being considered the favourites for elimination at the group stage of this summer’s Euros, Slovakia managed to qualify out of Group B before being knocked out by Germany in the last 16.
Given the fact they find themselves in a relatively easy World Cup qualification group they will fancy their chances of being in Russia in just under two years time.
England are trying to move on swiftly from their debacle against Iceland at Euro 2016. Sam Allardyce, who nearly got the job ten years ago, has finally been given the reins of the national team. Although many criticise his playing style as boring, you cannot argue with his results. He has an excellent track record of making poor teams (which let’s face it, England are) competitive and capable of getting big results. Perfect for England.
Allardyce clearly believes that the current crop are good enough to play for England and has not made any controversial decisions. People would say dropping Everton’s Ross Barkley is wrong given his recent form, however, the 22-year-old probably does not have the discipline for international football just yet.
In Danny Drinkwater and Michail Antonio he has included two players who know all about hard work – something the former Sunderland manager values more than anything.
The Three Lions always have good qualification campaigns and I would expect it to be no different here. New manager Big Sam is all about results and I cannot see passed an England win at Evens and probably a win to nil at 9/5 too.
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