Wales vs Slovakia, Euro 2016: Where to watch live, preview, betting odds, prediction and possible XI

Follow live coverage of Wales vs Slovakia here

Where to watch live

Kick-off is at 5pm BST. Live TV coverage in the UK is available on BBC One. Radio commentary is available on BBC Radio 5 live. Live TV coverage in India is available on Sony Six and Sony ESPN, with mobile and online coverage available on SonyLiv. Kick-off is at 9.30pm IST (Saturday).

Click here to get a list of Euro 2016 broadcasters all across the globe

Preview

It's the battle of the neophytes when Wales face off against Slovakia in their opening encounter at the 2016 European Championship finals. The former are qualifying for an international tournament for the first time in 58 years, with their last appearance in a major tournament coming at the 1958 World Cup. The latter, however, has played in the European Championships in 1980, but as part of Czechoslovakia – with this being their first appearance as an independent country.

Wales will be backed to make it at least to the knockout stages alongside England and one of Russia or Slovakia, but it will depend on their big players turning up. All eyes will be on Gareth Bale, who is coming off a fine season with Real Madrid after claiming his second Champions League crown. Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey will be another key player if they are to make it to the Round of 16. Apart from the duo, there are a number of players, who play in the Premier League, like Joe Allen and Joe Ledley, who are both injury doubts for the first game.

Slovakia will provide a stern test to the Welsh as they too have a number of experienced players in their ranks in the form of captain Martin Skrtel and Marek Hamsik. They have an equal chance of making it out of the group, especially with three teams having a chance to qualify for the Round of 16. They have more recent international tournament experience following their exploits at the 2010 World Cup, while they also recorded a win over Germany in May, which will bode well going into the clash on Saturday.

Prediction

Wales

Betting odds (Betfair)

Wales – 19/10

Draw – 2

Slovakia –9/5

What managers say

Chris Coleman (Wales): We're delighted to be here. We thought it would never happen but we are here. We're super excited and very much looking forward the challenge tomorrow. The results will be what they will be but we want to make our nation proud. We need to perform like we can perform and then we will enjoy the moment.

Jan Kozak (Slovakia): England are favourites to win our group – they have the best squad and can handle the pressure – but the other three teams have equal chances in my opinion. I've never coached in a EURO, but I've played in one and it's always emotional.

Team News

Wales

Possible XI: Hennessey; Gunter, Taylor, Chester, Williams; Davies, King, Allen; Ramsey, Bale; Robson-Kanu.

Slovakia

Possible XI: Kozáčik; Pekarík, Škrtel, Ďurica, Hubočan (Švento); Hrošovský, Kucka; Mak, Hamšík, Weiss; Ďuriš.