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Peter Shilton: England should beat Wales nine times out of 10

Peter Shilton (L) and England U-21 head coach Gareth Southgate
Image: England legend Peter Shilton is in no doubt about who will win Thursday's 'Battle of Britain' showdown in Lens

England should beat Wales "nine times out of 10", according to their record cap holder Peter Shilton.

The neighbours meet in Lens at Euro 2016 on Thursday, with Wales having won their opener against Slovakia while England were held 1-1 by Russia.

Despite that, and the presence of Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale in the Welsh side, Shilton remains convinced Roy Hodgson's team have the overall superiority in the Group B clash.

"Take nothing away from Wales, because Gareth Bale is a world-class player, but pound for pound you'd expect England to win the match nine times out of 10," said Shilton.

England-Wales
England-Wales

England v Wales: Previous five meetings ahead of Euro 2016 clash

"That's not being disrespectful to Wales, who've done unbelievably well under Chris Coleman to get to a major tournament. They'll have a lot of passion but purely in terms of ability England should beat Wales."

During Shilton's long career, spanning 125 appearances and 20 years, the Home Nations Championship was a regular event.

England goalkeeper Peter Shilton in action during the FIFA 1986 World Cup
Image: Peter Shilton in action for England during his playing days

He appeared in numerous editions of the tournament before it was scrapped in 1984 and knows better than most about the intense nature of such fixtures.

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And he has cautioned England to play the match, not the occasion, if they are to overcome Coleman's buoyant team. 

"It's a derby, absolutely, I'm sure there'll be lots of needle," added Shilton.

England vs Wales head-to-head record

England have won 66 matches and Wales 14 with 21 draws in the 101 matches the two countries have played since their first meeting at London's Kennington Oval in 1879.

"But you've always got to keep focused on the job in hand. You can't get involved in emotions or other things.

"It's about concentration, doing your job and setting a standard as a team.

"The identity of the opposition shouldn't come into it, you have to be detached from that sort of thing.

"Yes, playing Wales is going to be something different for some of these lads but putting that to one side is what being a good team is all about.

"That's the kind of thing that wins tournaments."

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