Chris Sutton’s predictions – Euro 2024 last-16 ties

Gelsenkirchen / 17:00 BST

Some of the criticism of England and especially Gareth Southgate at these Euros has been way over the top.

There seems to have been an instant judgement made of them at this tournament despite them winning their group. Their performances have not been there yet but finishing top was the first objective, and they have achieved that.

Now we are into the knockout stages and the draw has really opened up for them with France, Spain, Germany and Portugal all on the opposite side.

If I was an England player now – and I do have some experience to call on here because I am thinking back to my one cap against Cameroon in 1997 – then I would be thinking that we have not played to our capabilities yet, and what an opportunity this is.

It is not always the team who starts a tournament the best who go on to win it – look at Portugal in 2016, who began with three draws against Iceland, Austria and Hungary.

We all know England can get better, and this is a game they should win.

I covered Slovakia in their first game at these Euros – their surprise win over Belgium – and they are well structured and well-drilled but lack the kind of standout individuals they have had in the past with players such as my old Celtic team-mate Lubomir Moravcik and, more recently, Marek Hamsik.

Slovakia will try to pick their moments but, if England score early, they should win pretty comfortably.

I’m expecting Southgate to make one change from the team that drew with Slovenia and choose Kobbie Mainoo instead of Conor Gallagher in midfield.

I actually want him to pick Cole Palmer, whose creativity in the 20 minutes he played in that game made England look a far more potent team, as his number 10… but I don’t think he will.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-0