Wales vs Northern Ireland Euro 2016 preview: What time does it start, where can I watch it live?

A look ahead to Saturday's last 16 match

Michael Parsons
Friday 24 June 2016 14:24 EDT
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Steven Davis of Northern Ireland celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal against Greece in a 3-1 win in Belfast that takes them to Euro 2016 (
Steven Davis of Northern Ireland celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal against Greece in a 3-1 win in Belfast that takes them to Euro 2016 ( (Getty)

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It’s a big game for…

Kyle Lafferty:

Lafferty’s heroics propelled Northern Ireland to France, but for the big Norwich striker, the journey has proven better than the arrival. After a quiet game against Poland, Lafferty was dropped completely for the win over Ukraine, and only featured as a substitute against Germany. He has something to prove, and Michael O’Neill might see an all-British encounter as the perfect time to utilise his strengths.

Best stat…

Saturday’s game will see the first time two British teams have ever met in the knockout stages of a major tournament.

Player to watch…

Joe Allen:

‘The Welsh Xavi’ might be overstating things, but the former Barcelona player would have been proud of Allen’s assist against Russia. His through-ball to Aaron Ramsey for the game’s opener was one of the passes of the tournament. There was much pre-Euros talk of Wales being a one man team.

Ramsey’s performances here have dispelled that myth and Allen is another who has demonstrated his importance to the side. His midfield clash with Steven Davis will be decisive in a game that Wales will fancy themselves strongly to win.

Premier League interest…

Wales (12): Wayne Hennessey, Neil Taylor, Ben Davies, James Chester, Ashley Williams, Joe Allen, Andy King, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Ledley, Sam Vokes, James Collins, Danny Ward

Northern Ireland (5): Gareth McAuley, Jonny Evans, Steven Davis, Paddy McNair, Craig Cathcart

Past meetings…

Wales 1 (Church) Northern Ireland 1 (Cathcart) Friendly, 2016

Wales 2 (Ramsey, Earnshaw) Northern Ireland 0, Nations Cup, 2014

Who will the winners face next…

The victors will play Hungary or Belgium in the quarter-final

Vital information…

Date: Saturday 25th June

KICK-OFF TIME: 5pm

TV: Live on BBC One

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