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England's Eric Dier says Wales will be desperate to beat 'the enemy'

MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JUNE 11:  Eric Dier of England celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between England and Rus
Image: Eric Dier celebrates scoring against Russia

Eric Dier knows Wales will be desperate to get one over on "the enemy" and wreck England's Euro 2016 hopes.

Chris Coleman's men top Group B after marking their first European Championship match with a 2-1 victory against Slovakia.

Later on Saturday, amid a backdrop of fan violence, England's inability to turn dominance into goals allowed Russia to grab a last-gasp leveller, increasing the pressure heading into Thursday's 'Battle of Britain'.

England are favourites to win in Lens despite the 1-1 draw, but midfielder Dier - who scored a stunning free-kick against Russia - believes Wales will raise their game against what Gareth Bale labelled "the enemy" in the build-up.

"Obviously there's a lot to it," he said. "I think as well it might be a bit less of an international game and a bit more of an English game, especially with the players.

MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JUNE 11:  Eric Dier of England shows his dejetion after his team's 1-1 draw in the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between England and Rus
Image: Dier and his team-mate cannot hide their disappointment after Russia's late equaliser

"It might be a bit different to all the others games you've seen in the tournament, so I think that's good for the spectators as well.

"Obviously it's a massive game for them and for us, for many different reasons. Everyone is going to look forward to it.

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"I think the underdogs are always up for it, always wanting to prove a point and that makes it even harder for the favourites.

MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JUNE 11:  Eric Dier of England scores his team's first goal from a free kick during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between England an
Image: Dier lashes in his stunning free-kick

"If we are the favourites, we need to be even more well-prepared and more ready for it because they'll be desperate to do their best obviously after the result they had as well."

Despite the fact a third-placed finish could be enough to progress from the group, Thursday remains vital for England after producing an impressive performance without the result it deserved.

Dier is focusing on the positive aspects of Saturday's 1-1 draw in Marseille and is not allowing the disappointment of conceding a late equaliser to fester.

BORDEAUX, FRANCE - JUNE 11: Wales player Gareth Bale (R) of Wales celebrates his team's second goal scored by Hal Robson-Kanu (C) as Joe Ledley (l) looks o
Image: Gareth Bale (R) celebrates his brilliant free-kick against Slovakia

"I don't think there's any reason to get negative about it," he said. "Obviously we're disappointed that we conceded a late goal, but apart from that I thought it was definitely the best England performance I've played in.

"I've not played in many but I thought it was fantastic. That's the feeling I got from the response from the fans when the game was going on.

"I think there are so many positives to take. I don't think we should be putting ourselves down and we are going to look forward to the next game."

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