Wayne Rooney and England vs Gareth Bale's Wales – a lot has been spoken before the match, with the mind games hitting overdrive, but with just a few hours now remaining to kickoff of one of the most anticipated group games of Euro 2016, it is about preparing perfectly and making sure all the right personnel are on board when the two teams clash in Lens.
While Wales picked up a fabulous win over Slovakia, the team which beat Russia on Wednesday, in their opening Euro 2016 game, England were left deflated after the Russians stole a point with a late goal in their Group B opener. England now need to get that air back in the lungs, play to their potential – something they did not do often enough against Russia – and show why they were considered the group favourites at the start of these European Championships.
The key decision for Roy Hodgson, the England manager, to make is if he needs to bring in any of the players who started on the bench for the match against Russia. The starting XI for England, while not playing to their potential, did not do such a bad job against Russia, and on another day that match might have been out of sight by second half stoppage time, instead of just being a 1-0 lead before Vasili Berezutski placed that wonderful header.
Raheem Sterling, who played out wide on the left was a little disappointing, though, especially with his final balls. While there is no doubting the winger's talent and ability to run at people, he does leave a lot to be desired when it comes to make that final pass or taking that final shot.
What Hodgson needs to decide is if someone like a Jamie Vardy, who has got just as much, if not more, pace or Daniel Sturridge will be a better option in that position. Neither of them are natural wingers, and both are at their best playing up front, but both are better goalscorers and that could prove to be the difference in what is expected to be a game of fine margins.
Adam Lallana started off brightly in the match against Russia, before fading in the second half, but his dynamism and ability to carve out a chance could see him keep his place in the England starting XI.
Wales showed plenty of fight and spirit in beating Slovakia 2-1. After seeing their lead, given, naturally, by Bale, go, the Welsh might have shrunk and given up, but after a difficult period, the Wales found a way to score that winner, with Aaron Ramsey toe-poking one for Hal Robson-Kanu to finish.
Considering he scored the winning goal, Robson-Kanu will hope to get into the Wales starting lineup. If Chris Coleman decides to play the forward, then Jonny Williams, who worked tirelessly against Slovakia, might have to make way. Coleman will wait until the last moment to see if goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey has recovered from a back spasm sufficiently to take his place in front of the sticks. If he does not recover in time, Danny Ward will continue in goal.
With Joe Ledley now fit, there is also a case for him to come back in and partner the excellent Joe Allen in central midfield, at the expense of David Edwards, with Ramsey, again, playing a little ahead of the two, while Bale, if Robson-Kanu starts, will have the freedom to roam around, like he likes to, and pick the holes in the England backline to exploit.
Confirmed starting XI: England: Joe Hart; Kyle Walker, Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling, Danny Rose; Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Wayne Rooney; Adam Lallana, Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling.
Wales: Wayne Hennessey; Chris Gunter, James Chester, Ashley Williams, Ben Davies, Neil Taylor; Joe Allen, Joe Ledley; Aaron Ramsey, Gareth Bale; Hal Robson-Kanu.
