England's last 16 opponents: Who would Three Lions rather face in knockout stages?

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22 June 2016

England must wait on the results of Wednesday evening's final round of Euro 2016 group fixtures before learning their last 16 opponents.

Roy Hodgson's men will play the runners-up from Group F, where all four teams still remain in contention for qualification to the knockout stages.

Hungary are definitely through but a win would guarantee top spot and a clash against the Group E runners-up.

Portugal and Iceland would be the top two if they both win and then be split by goal difference, goals scored, discipline and coefficient. The runners-up would then face England.

A win would move Austria into second spot unless Portugal also take three points.

But who would England rather face in the first knockout round? Standard Sport runs the rule over the Three Lions' possible opponents below.

Hungary

ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty Images

Former Crystal Palace keeper Gabor Kiraly may be the oldest player to have appeared at a European Championships but the ‘Pyjama Man’ will be a tough obstacle for England’s goal-shy strikers to beat. With no real stars to speak of, the 40-year-old’s tracksuit bottoms get as much attention as ever. Former Fulham midfielder Zoltan Gera is still trying to dictate play at the age of 37. An organised team, they will be hard to break down.

Iceland

AFP/Getty Images

They are a well-drilled outfit, which is shown by the fact they have lost just one of their last eight competitive matches. Should England face Iceland, then the familiar face of Gylfi Sigurdsson will provide concern. Things may have not worked out for him at Spurs but the Swansea midfielder’s creativity must be respected. Iceland frustrated Portugal with defensive tactics, something England have struggled to deal with.

Portugal

FRANCISCO LEONG/AFP/Getty Images

This Portugal side are a shadow of the team that knocked England out of Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup, but those defeats will be a psychological barrier for England to overcome. Cristiano Ronaldo is not in his best form but is bound to make his mark, while the squad are blessed with experience in Ricardo Carvalho, Pepe, Joao Moutinho and Nani. They’re strong defensively but have over-relied on Ronaldo in attack.

Austria

Leonhard Foeger/reuters

Austria were considered to be a good outside bet but they’ve yet to even score. The squad are blessed with talent, though, and shouldn’t be underestimated. Coach Marcel Koller is still trying to get the best out of Bayern Munich’s David Alaba, who has been playing as an attacking midfielder rather than left-back. Stoke’s Marko Arnautovic will know the England players well.

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