BAKE OF THE NEXT

Heat is on in Cologne and UK with mercury set to hit 31C 50,000 travelling fans to cheer on Lions for crunch Slovenia game

- PAUL BYRNE , ANDY LINES and JEREMY ARMSTRONG

MILLIONS of supporters will be on red-hot form as England bakes in a 31C heatwave ahead of tonight's crunch clash against Slovenia.

Gareth Southgate's side will also need cool heads as they battle boiling conditions and their nerves in Cologne.

Up to 50,000 Thee Lions fans are expected in the German city, where the temperature is forecast to hit 25C when the teams kick off at 8pm.

But with 56% humidity it will feel more like 29C in the stadium.

Fans who sweltered in the midday sunshine in Cologne took advantage of free sunscreen dispensers in the city.

In the local bars, England supporters were confident of Euro 2024 success, despite last week's 1-1 draw against Denmark in Frankfurt. Pals Louis

Gosney, 25, James Collings, Sam Mills, and Alex Dunstan, all 26, from Gosport, Hants, soaked up the sun and drank cold beers in the old market square.

They were staying in Dusseldorf but wanted to visit Cologne to take in the sights and sample the atmosphere.