The wait is over. England will begin their Euro 2024 on June 16. Their burning desire for a first major trophy since 1966 has now reached an all-time high. Three years after that heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Italy at Wembley, Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions enter the tournament as one of the favorites, having a squad brimming with young talent.
While some established names like Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson miss out, the likes of Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden are ready to take center stage. The pressure, however, remains immense. Having come agonizingly close on several occasions under Southgate, this feels like a defining moment for England.
Standing in their way on opening night is Serbia, a team that underwhelmed at the World Cup and arrives in Germany with a different kind of pressure – the pressure of the underdog.
It remains to be seen whether the Three Lions will be able to start their campaign with a bang or if Serbia will tame the Lions and shock them with an upset. The England vs Serbia match has all the elements to be a cracker and it will certainly be an entertaining game of football for the neutral supporters.
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England Team Preview
England head into their Euro 2024 opener against Serbia needing a response after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Iceland in their final send-off match. Despite the recent stumble, England possesses a wealth of talent all over the pitch.
Gareth Southgate’s squad has a world-class attack led by the in-form Harry Kane. Kane’s blistering form in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich (36 goals in 32 games) is a positive sign, and his scoring record for England speaks for itself (10 goals in the last 10 competitive internationals). Surrounding Kane are exciting young talents like Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, and Cole Palmer. This blend of experience and youthful exuberance could prove explosive against a Serbian defense that struggled at the World Cup.
Expect a 4-3-3 formation from England to exploit the height advantage of Serbia’s defenders. This approach has proven successful against similar teams. However, concerns remain about England’s leaky defense, especially when playing a high line.
Southgate’s challenge will be to solidify the backline while unleashing the attacking potential of his young squad. A strong showing against Serbia is crucial to set the tone for their Euro 2024 campaign.
England Predicted XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier, Alexander-Arnold, Rice, Bellingham, Saka, Foden, Kane (c)
Serbia Team Preview
Serbia arrives at Euro 2024 hungry to prove themselves after missing the 2020 edition. Led by manager Dragan Stojković, they have attacking firepower and a squad determined to make history. Their qualification campaign saw mixed results, finishing second in their group. However, they learned from past mistakes and secured a well-deserved spot in the Euros.
They have experienced players like captain Dušan Tadić and midfield maestro Sergej Milinković-Savić. Up front, the fearsome duo of Aleksandar Mitrović and Dušan Vlahović provides a significant goal threat, with 58 combined club goals this season. Their contrasting styles – Mitrović’s aerial prowess and Vlahović’s long-range finishing will be lethal for the English defenders.
You can expect a cautious approach from Serbia, utilizing their towering defense (all players above 184 cm) to nullify England’s attack, especially the threat of aerial balls. They will likely look to exploit England’s leaky defense with quick counter-attacks, relying on Milinković-Savić’s playmaking and the finishing duo of Mitrović and Vlahović.
Serbia’s Achilles’ heel remains their defense. While their height is an advantage, they lack experience playing against top-tier attackers. Capitalizing on any defensive lapses will be crucial for England. Serbia’s potential as a dark horse lies in their attacking firepower. If they can exploit England’s weaknesses, they could cause a major upset in their opening match.
Serbia Predicted XI: Rajkovic, Milenkovic, Mitrovic, Kolarov, Gudelj, Milinkovic-Savic, Tadic, Maksimovic,Kostic, Mitrovic (c), Vlahovic
England vs Serbia Betting Odds
Serbia 8.00 – Draw 4.75 — 1.49 England (Parimatch)
England vs Serbia Head-to-Head Stats
There’s no history of competitive matches between England and Serbia, making this encounter a fresh chapter in their international story. This lack of data presents a unique challenge for both teams.
With no head-to-head stats, recent form becomes a bigger talking point. England’s 1 out of 5 wins in the last 5 matches raises concerns, while Serbia’s attacking display in their qualifiers provides optimism.
Both teams can approach the game with more tactical freedom. They can experiment with formations and strategies without worrying about past vulnerabilities exposed by their opponent.
England vs Serbia Betting Tips and Predictions
With the talent and experience this England Team has, they appear to be the clear favorites for this match. Serbia has shown vulnerabilities at the back, conceding consistently in recent matches. Their reliance on height might not be enough against England’s pace and movement in attack. Manager Gareth Southgate often prioritizes a strong start, securing an early advantage in most recent outings. This could be crucial against Serbia, forcing them to chase the game and potentially expose their defensive weaknesses further. Don’t completely discount Serbia’s potential to cause an upset. Consider a smaller wager on England to win, or explore alternative bets like “England to Win by One Goal” or “Draw No Bet” (England wins, or the match ends in a draw) to hedge your bets.
We also predict the combined score of the match will be over 2.5 goals. Both England and Serbia possess strong attacking forces. England should create lots of chances with their creative midfield and pacey wingers. Serbia’s attacking duo, on the other hand, can also be a threat, especially if England plays a high line. This makes a high-scoring match very likely.
The England vs Serbia clash for Euro 2024 promises to be a captivating encounter. England, with their attacking talent, will look to dominate possession and exploit Serbia’s defensive weaknesses. Serbia, on the other hand, will pose a significant threat on the counter with their lethal strike duo. The lack of historical data between these two sides adds another layer of intrigue, making it difficult to predict a clear winner.
One thing is certain: this promises to be a captivating match that sets the tone for Euro 2024. With high stakes and contrasting styles, this encounter is not to be missed for football fans.