When two British teams face off, it’s always going to be a big deal.
But when the two of them are fighting to be top of their group at a major tournament, it carries some extra weight. And when it’s England against Wales, you know there’s going to be sparks.
Things have only hotted up since Euro 2016 kicked off as Wales have claimed top spot in Group B after beating Slovakia 2-1. England, meanwhile, conceded a late equaliser to Russia in their opening game.
Although this is Wales’ first appearance at a major tournament since the ’50s, with Gareth Bale leading their attack they will be confident that they can cause an upset against their closest neighbours.
Wales legend Dean Saunders believes that the key to the game could be England’s centre-back partnership of Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill.
Dean Saunders, speaking exclusively to 888sport, said:
“England’s weak links are down the side of the centre-backs. The heart of their defence is not quite right. The two full-backs Rose and Walker are great going forward but I’m not sure that Cahill and Smalling are playing off each other.
“They play too high up the pitch when there is no pressure on the ball and they’re not covering each other. There is no partnership there.”
And that lack of cohesion, Saunders says, runs throughout the England team who play like a group of individuals, rather than displaying the team spirit of their Group B rivals.
“We’ve got a club mentality whereas England are bang under pressure and for me a lot of the players are just trying to do their own jobs to keep their place.
“We don’t have many selection problems and the team picks itself so the subs know where they stand and the team knows where it stands and that creates a bond. That celebration after Gareth [Bale]’s goal was the best celebration I’ve ever seen. Everyone was involved including the back-room staff.”
