ENGLAND have a point to prove in their final Group D fixture against Czech Republic after their underwhelming goalless draw against Scotland last Friday. While Gareth Southgate’s side will almost certainly take their place in Euro 2020’s last 16, fans and pundits will expect them to demonstrate more cutting edge in front of goal.

Seen as among the favourites to win the whole tournament, England could do with building some momentum before the knockout rounds. Czech Republic, however, could still top Group D with a win. Here’s what Southgate and his players should expect from the visitors to Wembley on Tuesday evening.

What sort of team are they?

Czech Republic might not be the most exhilarating team to watch at this summer’s European Championships, but they have shown themselves to be extremely efficient as a unit. Scotland found that to their cost, with Jaroslav Silhavy’s side doing a much better job of breaking down the team in blue than England did at Wembley.

Set pieces will be key to Czech Republic’s game plan. In Tomas Soucek, they boast someone very familiar to most in England’s squad with the 26-year-old West Ham midfielder a real danger  from freekicks and corner kicks. Southgate might be tempted to start Harry Maguire for the first time at Euro 2020 purely to combat this threat.

Who are their key players?

Patrik Schick has been one of the stars of Euro 2020, scoring three times in Czech Republic’s first two games. While the Bayern Leverkusen forward has struggled for consistency over the course of his career, he has made himself something of a tallish for his national team over the last two weeks, arguably scoring the goal of the tournament so far from the halfway line against Scotland.

Goal of the tournament from Schick #SCOCZE pic.twitter.com/hXiMCuQ9GN

— unknown (@nive_praveen) June 14, 2021

Soucek, already referenced, will pose a threat in the air and from set pieces and in West Ham teammate Vladimir Coufal he will have a supply line down the right side. That connection will be key for Czech Republic to get out from the back, with Hertha Berlin’s Vladimir Darida charged with linking the midfield and attack. 

Sevilla goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik has had a strong tournament so far and will need to continue that against one of the most dangerous frontlines in international football. In terms of individual quality, England’s squad far outweighs Czech Republic’s, but they still have difference makers who could decide Tuesday’s match. 

Why should England be worried?

Against Scotland, England struggled to play through a low defensive block and it’s likely they will face a similar task against this Czech Republic outfit on Tuesday. Silhavy’s side have conceded just one goal at Euro 2020 so far and will aim to keep things tight again at Wembley with their 4-2-3-1 shape in possession quick to become a 4-5-1 when not on the ball.

An expectant home crowd at Wembley will demand England attack from the start, but their Czech opponents will make that difficult. Silhavy will set out his team to be compact at the back. If England are to improve on their dismal showing against Scotland, they will need to find a way to get in behind, whether that’s through the full backs or through the dribbling of Phil Foden or Jack Grealish.

England should look to use Raheem Sterling in the same way Croatia deployed Ivan Perisic in a wide position to create one-on-one situations. This might also be the perfect game for Southgate to finally call on Jadon Sancho, unused at Euro 2020 until now. With the wrong strategy, though, England could be frustrated by Czech Republic just as they were by Scotland. 

Score prediction: Czech Republic 0-1 England

If England fans expect an enthralling display of attacking football from this game, they likely won’t get it. Czech Republic will do their best to level the playing field by making this a stodgy encounter decided by percentage play, but their lack of genuine individual quality could prove decisive in the end.

All odds: Czech Republic v England