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• Los Angeles FC v Colorado Rapids: Cherundolo's men to force the issue

  Steve Cherundolo says Los Angeles FC will force the issue when they take on the Colorado Rapids in a huge clash of Western Conference contenders on Saturday.

  LAFC lead the way in the West with 37 points, though Real Salt Lake and the LA Galaxy are only behind them due to winning one game fewer.

  LAFC's fine run of form continued with a 6-2 rout of the San Jose Earthquakes last weekend, with Mateusz Bogusz scoring twice as they raced into a 5-0 lead within just 48 minutes.

  Cherundolo expects a different level of test from the Rapids, who are just six points off the summit after an encouraging start to Chris Armas' tenure.

  "They're a difficult team to beat, they're playing very well, they're disciplined, compact and also very vertical," Cherundolo said of Colorado.

  "Chris has done a great job, and you can see it's a well-coached team. They found a way to be successful and they're sticking to it.

  "We believe that every system has its own abilities, it's just a matter of how well we can impose ours on them."

  Colorado have won their last three matches after enduring a mini slump, but like his opposite number, Armas is wary of the challenge his team will face on Saturday.  

  "It's another busy stretch coming up so in many ways it's right back to basics and we'll just try to get better," Armas said.

  "We're always looking at every game as a test of how we can improve. We know they're a good team, they're playing really well, but we're looking forward to it.

  "They just scored six but they're also one of the better defensive teams. You can see how explosive that offense is and we'll have to be at our best to get anything."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  Los Angeles FC – Mateusz Bogusz 

  Bogusz has a goal contribution in eight straight MLS matches, with only Luciano Acosta having a longer such streak this season (nine). 

  That is the second-longest such streak in regular-season play by an LAFC player, behind only Carlos Vela (11 straight spanning 2019 and 2020).

  Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic 

  Mihailovic has six goal contributions in his last two games, with three goals Wednesday against St. Louis City and a goal and two assists against CF Montreal last Saturday. 

  His six goal contributions are the most ever over a span of two MLS games by a Rapids player.

  MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC WIN

  The home team has lost only one of the 11 all-time meetings between LAFC and Colorado (nine wins, one draw). 

  LAFC have won all five of their previous home matches against the Rapids by a combined score of 14-1. While the Rapids will certainly put up a fight this week, the hosts enter as favourites.

  Cherundolo's team are unbeaten in their last eight league games, winning seven and drawing the other at Austin FC. At home, they have won five in a row.

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Los Angeles FC – 62.2%

  Colorado Rapids – 17.8%

  Draw – 20%

• England v Slovakia: Southgate refusing to back down as Three Lions aim for last eight

  Gareth Southgate is refusing to back down and has no regrets at Euro 2024, as England prepare for their first knockout test against Slovakia on Sunday.

  The Three Lions entered the competition in Germany among the pre-tournament favourites, subsequently topping Group C to make it into the round of 16.

  Yet their pole position belies the performance levels of their first three games, with drab draws against Denmark and Slovenia following a narrow 1-0 win over Serbia in the opener.

  Jude Bellingham scored in that opening victory, while Harry Kane netted in the 1-1 draw with Denmark that preceded a disappointing goalless outing against Slovenia.

  With such a depth of attacking talent available, some have questioned Southgate's ability to get the best out of the likes of Bellingham, Kane, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden.

  However, the England manager has no doubts over his side, nor any interest in the external noise from critics.

  "I won't be backing away from anything," Southgate said. "Whatever the feeling is towards me, you've got to get behind the team, and that's crucial.

  "Players have loved playing for England the last six or seven years, we've got to keep that – we have to keep that.

  "If we don't, then I understand the feeling towards me, but back the players."

  The left-back situation has also been a topical point of discussion, with Kieran Trippier operating as a makeshift full-back while Luke Shaw continues to be unfit.

  Southgate said after the Slovenia draw that Shaw, who has not featured for club or country since February, could be available for the "next game".

  Selection issues aside, England will be looking to reach the quarter-final stage of consecutive European Championship tournaments for the first time in history.

  Standing in their way is a Slovakia side that edged through Group E, progressing on goal difference as Romania, Belgium and Ukraine all finished level on four points.

  Slovakia head coach Matjaz Kek is wary of England's quality going into this one, too.

  "We are playing against one of the favourites, if not the favourite, for the tournament," Kek said. "We respect England very much. We know their strengths and their individuals.

  "The Euros have just started, and I see them as one of the favourites to win the tournament. I don't know why I would question England, be it the individuals or the team in general."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  ENGLAND – HARRY KANE

  Kane has come under some scrutiny for his ability to lead England's frontline, with questions over his pressing and speed up top.

  Yet, the England captain has scored six goals in his last six appearances in the knockout stages of major international tournaments (two in two at the 2022 World Cup, four in four at Euro 2020).

  His seven goals in the knockout stages overall are also the most of any Three Lions player, a tally he will hope to add to in Gelsenkirchen.

  SLOVAKIA – MILAN SKRINIAR

  Milan Skriniar and the Slovakia defence will be tasked with stopping the prolific Kane on Sunday, though the centre-back has impressed in other aspects of the game at Euro 2024.

  Only Germany's Toni Kroos (130) played more forward passes in the group stage than Skriniar (92), whose 203 successful passes so far are the most ever by a Slovakian player in a single edition of a major tournament.

  MATCH PREDICTION: ENGLAND WIN

  It is hard to look past anything other than an England win here, with Southgate's side winning 65% of pre-match simulations in Opta's data-led predictions.

  That favourable probability owes to a strong head-to-head record as England have won five of their six games against Slovakia.

  However, England's one failure to win this fixture was at Euro 2016 in their only previous major tournament meeting, a goalless draw in Saint-Etienne, where the Three Lions had their most shots (29) in a European Championship match on record (since 1980).

  Expect Slovakia to fly out the blocks, too, as they have scored first in three of their six clashes with England, yet they went on to lose each of those games 2-1: in both Euro 2004 qualifiers and a 2018 World Cup qualifier in September 2017.

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  England – 65%

  Draw – 20.6%

  Slovakia – 14.4%

• Europa League champions Atalanta sign Everton defender Godfrey

  Europa League champions Atalanta have completed the signing of defender Ben Godfrey from Everton.

  Godfrey has joined the Serie A club for a reported fee in excess of €10million.

  The 26-year-old, who was capped twice by England in 2021, ends a four-year spell with the Toffees, having joined from Norwich City in 2020.

  Godfrey, a versatile defender capable of playing at centre-back or full-back, impressed in his first season at Goodison Park under Carlo Ancelotti, though was unable to recapture that form in subsequent campaigns.

  Godfrey, a versatile defender capable of playing at centre-back or full-back, impressed in his first season at Goodison Park under Carlo Ancelotti, though was unable to recapture that form in subsequent campaigns.

  Posting on his official X account, Godfrey wrote: "I joined the club in 2020, everyone at the club, fans, staff and players made me feel welcome.

  "I've made great memories at this football club and will always appreciate my time here, Now it's time to go onto my next challenge. Thanks for all your support. All the best."

  Godfrey made 15 Premier League appearances last season for Everton, winning 66 of his 126 duels, making 16 interceptions and winning 20 of 30 attempted tackles.