England should get their Euro 2024 campaign up and running with a victory over Serbia on Sunday, but it might not be as straightforward as Gareth Southgate would like.
The Three Lions face Serbia at the AufSchalke Arena in Gelsenkirchen with the match, which kicks-off at 8pm, live on BBC1.
England are the outright favourites with the majority of bookmakers for the tournament, but last week’s 1-0 friendly defeat to minnows Iceland suggested there are issues to resolve before the Group C opener against the Serbians.
England to win and both teams to score – 5/2
Southgate undoubtedly has a very talented crop of players at his disposal this summer eager to deliver a major trophy, but getting the right mix on the pitch and ensuring the likes of Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane are able to perform at their best remains a puzzle he must solve.
In the last three major tournaments under Southgate England have initially dazzled and then tripped up in the latter stages when glory was tantalisingly within reach. They will once again expect to reach the last four at the very least in Germany.
One thing they must do, then, to fulfil their lofty ambitions this summer is start with a win over Serbia, who are ranked 29 places below them at 33rd in the world.
However, they may not have things all their own way on Sunday evening.
The Three Lions are not exactly heading into the tournament in good form. As well as the dismal 1-0 friendly defeat to Iceland last time out, England have lost to Brazil and drawn with North Macedonia and Belgium in their last five games, with the 3-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in their other Euros warm-up their only success so far in 2024.
England do not appear to have much rhythm and must be wary of a dangerous Serbia in their important opener. Dragan Stojkovic’s men impressively beat Sweden 3-0 away in their most recent outing after qualifying for the tournament as runners-up in Group G.
They have plenty of excellent players, too. Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, Juventus pair Filip Kostic and Dusan Vlahovic and dangerous former Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrovic form part of their core, while veteran ex-Southampton playmaker Dusan Tadic and AC Milan striker Luka Jovic are others England must watch out for in Gelsenkirchen.
Serbia averaged just under two goals per game in qualifying and they have only failed to score in two of their last 17 matches, so they know where the net is and it therefore would not be a surprise to see favourites England edge to a nervy win with Serbia also on the scoresheet.
Phil Foden to score anytime – 21/10
Foden is no stranger to goals in big games. The recently-crowned Footballer Of The Year fired in 27 goals in all competitions in the season that’s just finished to help Manchester City win the Premier League, including a memorable brace in the 3-1 win over West Ham on the final day that helped seal the title.
Foden has just four goals for England so far from 34 caps. However, he comes into Euro 2024 on the back of what has been a scintillating club season and he might well provide the inspiration on Sunday.
His shooting stats towards the end of the club season stand out. He attempted 18 shots in his last six games for City, with 10 of those landing on target. So he is likely to be in the mood to try his luck when he gets a sight of goal.
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