Friday 17 June 2016 14:08, UK
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.
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.
"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."
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.
"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.
"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".
"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."
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.