England begin their Euro 2016 campaign this weekend and will be looking to lay down a marker against Russia in Group B.

Roy Hodgson's young squad does not represent the finished article but there is significant hope that the Three Lions can do the country proud in France this summer.


Hodgson has spoken of his desire to attack and, with an abundance of attacking options at his disposal, has the tools to inflict damage on any side at the tournament.

But a lack of talent has rarely been the nation's problem in recent years while failing to produce when it matters most certainly has.

Saturday evening would be a good time to start bucking the trend.

Ones to watch

Harry Kane goes into the tournament as the Premier League's top goalscorer.

The 22-year-old found the net for Spurs on 25 occasions last season and will be full of confidence, despite ending the campaign with a bitter taste in his mouth.

Just 12 months ago Kane was leading the line for England's Under-21s but his secret is out and he can expect close attention from plenty of defenders this summer.

He's expected to be given a chance to lead the line in his preferred central role and could be England's main man for years to come.




Russia favour a 4-2-3-1 formation with Dzyuba likely to be named as his side's lone striker.

The Zenit St Petersburg forward is not the most mobile, so do not expect him to be haring away from England's defence, but he is an imposing presence.

He knows where the goal is and could punish England if he gets a sniff in the penalty area.




Team news and probable line ups

The footballing gods have smiled on England in the build-up to the tournament.

Knocks to Ryan Bertrand and Chris Smalling represent the sum of Hodgson's injury worries ahead of the game.

But the manager still has a couple of selection dilemmas to deal with.

One involves Wayne Rooney and how best to utilise his ageing skipper. Midfield seems the most likely bet, which could pave the way for Kane and Jamie Vardy to start as a front two.

The side is expected to contain a strong Spurs contingent with Dele Alli pushing for inclusion regardless of formation and Jack Wilshere hopeful he has pressed his claims well enough to start after an injury-hit season.

Russia have lost Igor Denisov - their sole holding midfielder - to injury. Artur Yusupov has come in an his replacement.

Roman Shirokov and Aleksandr Kokorin are the other key attacking outlets England will want to keep in check as they look to kick-off their campaign with a win.

England XI: Hart; Walker, Cahill, Smalling, Rose; Dier, Alli, Rooney; Lallana, Kane, Sterling.

Russia XI: Akinfeev; Smolnikov, Berezutski, Ignashevich, Schennikov; Shirokov, Yusupov; Golovin, Kokorin, Smolov; Dzyuba.

sweetyme001:
1-1 full time draw!!!

Rapsainot:
No homo ... I'M surprised Russia is an European country!! What am I missing?

silverman99:
Russia would beat England

For where?

Rapsainot:
No homo ... I'M surprised Russia is an European country!! What am I missing?

dihalao:
I am booking this space, i'll use it to explain how you can watch it on your smartphone. Check back around 6p.m for that. I am on the walk now.

if u said this 15 years ago, it would have made a valuable point to the hearers/readers, but in this era of "end time century " everybody is equipped with information

Rapsainot:
No homo ... I'M surprised Russia is an European country!! What am I missing?

Rapsainot:
No homo ... I'M surprised Russia is an European country!! What am I missing?

tunjijones:


How on earth won't u knw that Russian is in Europe? And its a European not an European.

herbie27:
Bt guy i no understand dis ur question, where Russia suppose be?.

Rapsainot:
No homo ... I'M surprised Russia is a/an European country!! What am I missing?


Ok, thanks, guys. I was in doubt because I constantly see others use "an European" rather than "a European." And Google also gives nearly 1 million entries for "an European."

herbie27:
Bt guy i no understand dis ur question, where Russia suppose be?.