MATCH THREAD: Group B - Russia vs Slovakia - KO 14:00 (BBC)

[ijjysmith]

vs

Russia midfielder Denis Glushakov may start if deemed to be fully-fit following a calf strain. He played the final 10 minutes against England.

Back-up goalkeeper Yuri Lodygin missed training on Tuesday with an unspecified knock.

Slovakia coach Jan Kozak will make changes following their lacklustre display against Wales.

Ondrej Duda looks set to start after scoring against the Welsh shortly after coming on a substitute.

Events off the field may have dominated Russia's opener against England but their last-gasp point on it will silence a few critics who have questioned their ageing defence.

Four of Russia's defensive backline that started against England, including goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, all play for CSKA Moscow - who are also coached by national coach Leonid Slutsky. Somewhat reminiscent of Italy's impressive defence, who all play together for Juventus at club level, this familiarly between the quartet is a key strength, in the short term at least.

Slovakia are not in the last chance saloon after defeat to Wales, on their European Championship finals debut as an independent nation, but a second successive loss would leave them facing an uphill struggle to qualify - should England beat the Welsh on Thursday.

 

[ijjysmith]

LOL @ Massive Slovak badge

 

[Caolam]

Be nice to see Russians beaten but it doesn't look likely.

 

[The T-Dex]

Dzyubya to score 8 then go and fight some fans.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

It's unlikely, but I'd really like Slovakia to duff Russia up.

 

[Allezfan]

Russia are awful, they were completely outplayed by the worst team in the group.

We'll smash them and end up winning the group with 6 points.

 

[Allezfan]

Anywhere, more important than the game is that hopefully the other Slovak fans can show the Russians that not every team in Europe has thuggish fans who try and start things with them.

Hope we show some true Slavic brotherhood.

 

[dano195]

Russia are going to struggle here I think. Very lucky against england

 

[Robertoe]

Slovakia to get at least a point for me. Russia are one of the poorest teams in the competition

 

[ijjysmith]

Gonna be the first 0-0

 

[ToffeeDoug]

£2 on Hamsik at 10/1 to 1st GS.

 

[ijjysmith]

This is horrendously bad

 

[Zezti]

First game I'm not gonna watch in its entirety. It's so bad it's boring.

 

[ijjysmith]

Bloody good goal after all the rubbish so far!

 

[Whistlin' Dixie]

Wei$$ scores first. Only a game too late - I had him for 1st goal t'other day.

Underrated player, imo.