- Date: Sunday June 16 – 20:00 BST
- Location: Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen
- Teams: Serbia vs England
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Serbia and England kick off Euro 2024 campaigns in Gelsenkirchen
England, among the bookies favourites for Euro 2024 will look to make a strong start to the tournament, however, they face a potentially tricky first match against Serbia in Group C.
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Serbia
Serbia qualified from Group G behind Hungary. They have a squad with undoubted attacking talent but, as often seems to be the case down the years, they can be less than the sum of their parts. Dragan Stojkovic’s side will be aiming to at least be in the mix for second spot in their first European Championship finals. Stojkovic must hope that Aleksandar Mitrovic, excellent for Fulham in the Premier League in 2022/23, has retained his sharpness since relocating to the Saudi Pro League.
Serbia have had a mixed bag of results in their friendlies as they prepare for the tournament, losing heavily to Russia, but defeating Cyprus.
England
England, runners-up in 2020, look genuine contenders and are currently the bookie’s favourites to win the tournament. Previous England sides have been talked up by the press as being likely winners, then criticised when they came up short. However, during Gareth Southgate’s tenure England’s record in major tournaments has been very good. World Cup semi finalists in 2018, runners up in Euro 2020 and then quarter finalists in the 2022 World Cup where they exited to eventual runners-up France.
Southgate is not, however, without his critics. Some accuse him of being too cautious, others dismiss his importance and say he should be doing even better with the players he has and he has also been criticised for being too loyal to certain players and for not freshening the squad up with in form players. This all seems to be a little unfair. Southgate’s work behind the scenes has been responsible for a lot of talented players coming through from the age-group teams and fulfilling their potential and his man management and loyalty to players has fostered a team spirit rarely matched in the history of the England national team.
England have a great spirit and have genuine world class talents in the likes of Declan Rice, Harry Kane and, especially, Jude Bellingham. They will be disappointed if they do not top the group.
Southgate’s side began their preparations for the tournament with friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, and were missing several key players, they suffered a 1-0 loss and were held to a draw. However, several fringe players were given a run-out and England will approach the tournament with confidence.
Prediction
The bookies make England favourites. Serbia are a team capable of shocking the top sides and England will be only too aware of the danger posed by Mitrovic. However, England are more resilient these days and we think that they will come away with the three points. England to win.
Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen
Odds correct as of 31.03.24 at 21:00. Odds subject to change.
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