Serbia vs. England
Tip Overview
If you would like to read our full preview of the game, and not just the tips, scroll down or use the table of contents above to navigate.
Serbia vs. England: Betting Tips Outlined
Sasa Lukic to Be Booked - 9/2 at Bet365
Lukic is quite terrier-like and will happily nip at the heels of England's midfield, and this is more likely due to the technical prowess that the opposition midfield possesses. Additionally, with Serbia playing with three defenders, there may be more of a need for tactical fouls from the midfield, and Lukic is the one we see for this.
For Fulham this season, he played 1,118 minutes in the Premier League and committed 27 fouls, which is more than two fouls per 90. Furthermore, given SMS is the more attacking-minded of the duo, he could be forced to make challenges if he is needed to.
Under 8 Corners - 2/1 at Bet365
Looking at the 'under' market on corners is certainly a risk in itself, but it makes sense on this occasion to visit it. In the qualifiers, Serbia averaged more than 7.5 match corners in only 50% of their games, whereas England averaged the same amount in only 38% of their games.
To further this, the Three Lions only conceded 15 corners in their eight qualifiers - the lowest of any team - and Serbia conceded 20 in the same timeframe. Therefore, we think less than eight could be some fantastic value, and perhaps, you could even go lower than this, but for us, eight provides a nice bumper with great odds.
England to Win & Both Teams to Score - 5/2 at BetVictor
A win on Sunday would, quite literally, be the perfect start to the tournament, but it will not be an easy feat. Serbia will be a difficult side to beat, but they are beatable, and a favourite to win the entire competition should do just that.
The Serbs have a fantastic attacking lineup, as we have previously mentioned, and they scored 15 goals in eight qualifying games, but England only conceded four in their qualification process. We think England will outscore their opposition, and a Serbia goal in the game is a good shout making this a good price.
Harry Kane to Score Anytime - 11/10 at Bet365
It is impossible to look past Harry Kane to score a goal, and the fact he is priced above Evens is phenomenal. You can certainly argue that this is England's biggest game of the group, a game that must relax a nation, whilst proving that the Three Lions can go all the way.
In your biggest games, your biggest players are the difference makers. Harry Kane is that. After 36 goals in 32 games, Kane enters this tournament in fantastic form and he can prove he is right to be named as a favourite for the tournament's top goalscorers with an impressive showing on Sunday.
Declan Rice & Trent Alexander-Arnold 1 Shot Each - 21/20 at BetMGM
For this selection, we've combined the selections of a Rice and Alexander-Arnold shot because it provides some excellent value. The duo are expected to be England's two deeper midfielders, but in a game like this, we expect them to be advanced when the opportunity arises.
In the Premier League, the Arsenal midfield averaged just under a shot per game and he presents a threat from corners, especially with Harry Maguire not in the squad. The Liverpool man averaged 1.37 shots per game in the Premier League, and he loves a shot from distance.
Serbia vs. England: Preview
Ahead of the 2024 European Championship, there are plenty of tales that could be written. Some are the beginnings, some are endings, and for England, it is very much a mix of both. However, there is a feeling across the nation that 2024 is the year it will come home.
They start their hunt for glory in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday against Serbia, who have a very different story entering the tournament, yet this could make the game much more of a spectacle. With that in mind, let's delve into our preview of both teams.
England - Team News and Key Players
It is a strange tournament for England. One that signifies the end, and beginning of several cycles.
England are facing a new era and young talent is threaded throughout the squad. Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, and who could forget Jude Bellingham. Questions are already being asked whether the Three Lions are entering a new 'Golden Generation' and that is yet to be seen, but their credentials are there.
The experience still remains in place, though. Younger players have experience, of course, Phil Foden has 164 appearances for Manchester City. However, he is infinitely less experienced than players like John Stones, Kyle Walker, and Jordan Pickford.
Furthermore, there are two more stories which could be completed in the summer.
Firstly, the story of Harry Edward Kane. Kane is often bantered for his lack of trophies in his career, and there are questions about his credentials to be the man to lead football coming home. With that being said, though, he is still an elite goalscorer with experience playing in a new league and powered by the heartbreak of his previous season.
More importantly, Gareth Southgate is entering his final coach as England's head coach, at least, it seems that way. His story began 11 years ago for England, at least in a managerial sense. However, after six years, one final, one fourth-placed finish, and a quarter-final against the eventual finalists, the belief is he can go one step further.
The weight of a nation is on the backs of an England side who have only won once in their past five games - an underwhelming warmup to an international tournament in itself - but this game against Serbia could be the perfect start the squad needs.
Before the World Cup, Argentina were heavy favourites, and their pre-tournament record supported that. England match the former part but not the latter. However, they lost their first game against Saudi Arabia, but still won the tournament. Following the tournament, it was said that their loss made them remember who they were, and lessened the pressure.
Whilst the result cannot be the same for England against Serbia, the outcome could be. Perhaps the Three Lions have piled too much pressure on themselves, which has caused their poor results, but their first game could be the time to remind themselves of how good they can be and show Europe they are fitting to be named a favourite for the tournament.
England possible XI vs. Serbia (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Guehi, Stones, Trippier; Rice, Alexander-Arnold; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane
Serbia - Team News and Key Players
Looking at the opponents, it could be argued that Serbia are the perfect antidote to England's needs. The Serbs come into this game with little to no expectations after their World Cup elimination, but the Eagles certainly will not be a pushover.
It is more than feasible that the squad can frustrate the Three Lions deeply. Serbia play a 3-4-1-2 system, which allows their dangerous men to be at their best, and whilst this may mean they are more vulnerable to danger themselves, their attacking power could overpower England.
Dusan Vlahovic and Aleksandar Mitrovic scored 44 goals last season in Serie A and the Saudi Pro League respectively. A beautiful mix of age and experience, Vlahovic still fits the 'younger' striker with bags of potential, and Mitrovic's quality cannot be forgotten, especially at the peak of his career.
The creativity of Dusan Tadic cannot be forgotten. In the Super Lig last season, he got 24 contributions, showing he is still performing at an excellent level at 35 years old, and with it likely being his last European Championship, he will want to give one final display of his best on the European stage.
Furthermore, England's midfield could be exposed by the duo of Sasa Lukic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Whilst their midfield is young, they have experience in quality situations but they may not have faced a pair like SMS and Lukic - a physical monster in SMS and a terrier-like workhorse like Lukic.
Before a football has been kicked in any group, let alone Group C, Serbia are not expected to be in with a chance of qualifying from the group. However, they have been allowed to make everyone aware of them in one of the most anticipated games of the tournament.
Serbia possible XI vs. England (3-4-1-2): Milinkovic-Savic; Milenkovic, Veljkovic, Pavlovic; Kostic, Milinkovic-Savic, Lukic, Kostic; Tadic, Vlahovic, Mitrovic
Accredited football journalist with a focus on Italian football, working for the likes of SempreMilan and Serie A Total. As an avid punter, I enjoy browsing sportsbooks for the best-value bets.