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England vs Wales. European Championships Group B.

Stade Bollaert-DelelisAttendance34,033.

England 2

  • J Vardy (56th minute)
  • D Sturridge (91st minute)

Wales 1

  • G Bale (42nd minute)

England v Wales preview: British rivals face off at Euro 2016

England v Wales
Image: British rivals England and Wales face-off in Lens on Thursday

England take on Wales at Euro 2016 on Thursday in a hotly-anticipated Group B clash, with defiant words from both camps dominating the pre-match build-up.

Wales star Gareth Bale, who scored in Saturday's 2-1 win over Slovakia, has stoked tensions ahead of the game in Lens by stating none of England's players would get into the Welsh squad.

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Gareth Bale mocks England and insists Wales' football team has more passion than Roy Hodgson's side before the pair meet in Euro 2016

The Real Madrid forward also claims Wales have "more pride" than their English counterparts; a suggestion England coach Roy Hodgson labelled "disrespectful", adding: "I don't have any doubts personally about our patriotism or desire."

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, meanwhile, has echoed Bale's sentiments by claiming table-toppers Wales have the "better team", and believes the spirit within their squad will prove important in Thursday's game.

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England manager Roy Hodgson insists he's never thought about whether any Wales players would make it into his side or vice versa

"We've been through a lot. We're seeing the rewards," Ramsey said.

"We've been together through thick and thin. We fight for each other, we work our socks off for each other."

Ramsey receives rugby support
Ramsey receives rugby support

Aaron Ramsey has the backing of Welsh rugby stars ahead of Thursday's game

England's Adam Lallana, who featured in the 1-1 draw with Russia in Marseille, says his team-mates must not devote their entire focus to Bale and has warned of the threat that Ramsey and Liverpool team-mate Joe Allen pose.

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"I have the pleasure of playing with Joe Allen and know what a talent he is. Aaron Ramsey is another one who is very talented, so we can't just put all our focus on Gareth, then get a sucker punch from one of their other good players," the Three Lions midfielder said.

Adam Lallana said it would be 'devastating' if England were thrown out of Euro 2016 over crowd trouble
Image: Adam Lallana has told England not to focus on Bale

"It's right we respect the whole team and look at their strengths and weaknesses, and figure out how we are going to beat them."

In the first meeting between the two sides in the finals of a major tournament, manager Chris Coleman has urged Wales to "want it a bit more", while England's Ryan Bertrand expects the fixture to have a "different dynamic".

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England defender Ryan Bertrand says the squad are expecting a tough match against Wales

"Each player on each team will know each other well and it will be a little more competitive because a few of the players are friends on the opposing teams," the Southampton defender said.

"Wearing the England shirt, wherever you go in the world, teams want to beat us and claim that scalp."

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Wales manager Chris Coleman has urged his players to focus on beating England on the pitch, rather than talking about them off it

Team news

Hodgson has no injury concerns ahead of the game, and faces a selection dilemma with Jamie Vardy pushing for a starting spot ahead of Raheem Sterling, who has been under the spotlight following a disappointing performance against Russia.

Hodgson's selection headache
Hodgson's selection headache

Sterling, Vardy and Wilshere will all be in Roy Hodgson's thoughts

Similarly, Wales boss Coleman has a full squad to choose from and could name an unchanged XI from the side that beat Slovakia in Bordeaux.

Opta stats

Wales have failed to beat England in seven of their last eight attempts (W1, D1, L6); their most recent win against their neighbours came back in May 1984, a 1-0 victory in Wrexham.

This is only the second time England are facing another country from the United Kingdom in a major tournament, after beating Scotland 2-0 at Euro 1996.

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Here's a look at a Wales v England match from 104 years ago! The visitors beat Wales 2-0

The Three Lions have played in Lens once before, securing a 2-0 victory over Colombia in the Stade Bollaert-Delelis during the 1998 World Cup.

Wales have only scored twice in their last eight meetings with England; failing to get on the scoresheet in the last four matches played against their neighbours.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06:  Aaron Ramsey (L) of Wales holds off Wayne Rooney (R) of England during the UEFA EURO 2012 group G qualifying match between
Image: Wales have a poor record against England in recent fixtures

Mark Hughes is the last Welsh player to score against England; it was in May 1984 (1-0).

England have scored at least once in six of their last seven attempts versus the Dragons, but never more than twice in this run, the last time they scored three or more was in 1978 (3-1 in Cardiff).

Wales have conceded in each of their last five games (including friendlies), their worst run of conceding since March 2013 (11).

Wayne Rooney scores 52nd goal for England
Image: Wayne Rooney has been in impressive form for England of late

Bale has scored 14 of the 31 Wales goals under Coleman since he took charge of his first game in February 2012 (45%).

Wayne Rooney has scored in seven of his last eight competitive appearances for England.

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England manager Roy Hodgson responds to Gareth Bale's remarks that his side lack passion

Paul Merson's prediction

I don't see anything but an England win! If you look at the teams, Bale would get in the England team but not one of the other Welsh players would get into Roy Hodgson's side. When you weigh that up I can't see how Wales can get anything. If England play and move the ball like they did in the first half against Russia they could rip Wales to shreds. They are head and shoulders above Wales.

Merson's predictions
Merson's predictions

Paul Merson provides his predictions ahead of the next round of fixtures

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 

Betting 

England are just 4/7 with Sky Bet to secure the victory, with Wales given a 13/2 chance while a draw is priced at 13/2. Roy Hodgson's men are 4/5 favourites to win Group B despite heading into the clash third, with Chris Coleman's side 13/8. Harry Kane heads the first goalscorer betting at 7/2 with Gareth Bale naturally considered the main Welsh threat at 6/1, while the duo have been enhanced from 6/1 to 8/1 to both find the net in Sky Bet's Price Boosts.

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