England faces the twin threats of a disqualification warning if its fans misbehave and a super-motivated Gareth Bale ahead of their Euro 2016 showdown with neighbours Wales in Lens on Thursday.
The bloody clashes between rival fans that marred England’s opening 1-1 draw with Russia in Marseille at the weekend left Roy Hodgson’s side facing the threat of elimination from European governing body UEFA.
England midfielder Adam Lallana said that such an outcome would be “devastating” and Hodgson and team captain Wayne Rooney have released a video message pleading for calm.
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But with England and Wales fans having been advised to base themselves in nearby Lille, where Russia played Slovakia on Wednesday, the build-up to the game will be wreathed with tension.
Police numbers will be boosted in Lens, an industrial city in northern France, with 2,400 security personnel on the streets.
Of equal concern to Hodgson will be the danger posed by Real Madrid forward Bale, whose stunning 25-yard free-kick against Slovakia in Bordeaux set Wales on its way to a 2-1 win.
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With England having dropped points against Russia, a second Group B defeat would seriously compromise its chances of remaining in the competition, as well as propelling Wales into the last 16.
Bale raised the temperature even before his team’s meeting with Slovakia, saying that England “big themselves up before they’ve done anything” and that Wales play with “more passion and pride”.
It drew a rebuke from Hodgson, who described the remarks as “disrespectful”, but Bale is standing by what he said. “It’s good that they bit,” Bale told a press conference in Dinard on Tuesday.
“I really don’t care what they say, to be honest. We know we’re a good team and we know we can beat them on our day.” Asked how many England players would get into the Wales team, he grinned: “None.”
Raheem Sterling's place may be under threat for England after a poor display on the left flank against Russia.