It's time for our Euro 2024 predictions ahead of England's first group game against Serbia on Sunday.
Gareth Southgate will be under plenty of pressure in Germany as England are many people's favourite to go all the way and win Euro 2024, and he certainly has the attacking talent to do so.
However, with injuries in the defence Serbia will be looking to exploit any possible weakness of England's this weekend but this is still a game that Southgate's side are expected to win.
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Serbia vs England prediction: Unconvincing start for England?
Key Stats
- Over 2.5 goals have been scored in four of Serbia's last five international matches.
- Two of England's last three fixtures have witnessed at least three goals.
- Southgate's men have only kept one clean sheet in their last five attempts.
- Serbia have only failed to score in one of their last five fixtures.
Pre-game odds and win probability: England the clear favourite
- HOME: 7/1 (8.00) – 12.5%
- DRAW: 15/4 (4.75) – 21.1%
- AWAY: 10/21 (1.48) – 67.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
England are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 67.7%, and it's hard to argue with the bookmakers on this selection.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Last five H2Hs: Only met once before
England played host to Serbia in 2003 where the final scoreline ended 2-1 in the home side's favour.
Serbia preview: Plenty of goals in the Eagles' attack
Serbia rounded off their Euro 2024 preparations with a resounding 3-0 win against Sweden.
Dragan Stojković's side has plenty of talented players throughout the squad and looks particularly impressive in attack.
Juventus forward Dušan Vlahović has 13 goals in 27 caps and will be partnered in attack by his country's all-time leading goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrović who has 58 goals in 91 appearances for Serbia.
Predicted lineup: Rajković (GK), Mladenović, Milenković, Pavlović, Stojić, Lukić, Milinković-Savić, Ilić, Mitrović, Živković & Vlahović
UEFA Nations League A 08/09/24
L
Denmark
2
Serbia
0
UEFA Nations League A 05/09/24
D
Spain
0
Serbia
0
Euro 2024 25/06/24
D
Denmark
0
Serbia
0
Euro 2024 20/06/24
D
Slovenia
1
Serbia
1
Euro 2024 16/06/24
L
England
1
Serbia
0
England preview: The defence could prove to be a weak link
England's defeat to Iceland left a bitter taste in the mouth of the Three Lions' faithful as the overall performance was poor and Gareth Southgate's tactics have come under scrutiny.
The main issue for England is at the back where they don't have an established centre-back partnership and will have to utilise Kieran Trippier at left-back due to Luke Shaw's current lack of fitness.
However, going forward England have one of, if not, the best attacking lineups in the competition led by captain and all-time top scorer Harry Kane and supported by Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham.
Predicted lineup: Pickford (GK), Walker, Trippier, Stones, Guéhi, Rice, Alexander-Arnold, Kane, Foden, Saka & Bellingham
UEFA Nations League B 10/09/24
W
Finland
0
England
2
UEFA Nations League B 07/09/24
W
Rep of Ireland
0
England
2
Euro 2024 14/07/24
L
Spain
2
England
1
Euro 2024 10/07/24
W
Netherlands
1
England
2
Euro 2024 06/07/24
W
Switzerland
1 (3)
England
1 (5)
Player to watch – Jude Bellingham
Champions League winner Jude Bellingham will make his 30th appearance for England should he feature against Serbia on Sunday as expected.
This could prove to be a huge tournament for the 20-year-old who has the world at his feet. England expects and Bellingham could well be the player to deliver.
The Real Madrid midfielder had been used as a box-to-box player by Southgate in the past but it is thought that we will be given the licence to get forward more often following a fantastic goalscoring debut season in La Liga.
Will Jude Bellingham star at Euro 2024?
Bellingham is our player to watch on Sunday and we wouldn't be surprised to see the youngster score the winning goal for England in what could prove to be a very tough game for Southgate's men.
Serbia
?? Saša Lukić ??#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/PtAjZdfbPb
— Fudbalski savez Srbije | FA of Serbia (@FSSrbije) June 16, 2024
England
Today’s the day our #EURO2024 campaign begins! ? pic.twitter.com/WX8v0Lalte
— England (@England) June 16, 2024
