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Three Lions Face Tough Test Against Serbia

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Three Lions
England squad during training 


England faces a tough challenge against unbeaten Serbia. Find out how the Three Lions can overcome the odds.


Thomas Tuchel's side will face a stern test against Serbia, who boasts a strong home record with clean sheets and recent wins...


England's upcoming World Cup qualifier against Serbia on Tuesday evening is highly anticipated, with the Three Lions traveling to Belgrade with a perfect record in Group K. Having played four matches, they've won all four, scoring eight goals while keeping a clean sheet. This impressive performance suggests they're on track to qualify for the World Cup with ease.


However, England's recent display under Thomas Tuchel hasn't been convincing, with their 2-0 win over Andorra being a notable example. Despite the win, Tuchel's side looked sluggish, and concerns about their performance level remain. Serbia, on the other hand, have been solid in their qualifying campaign, winning two matches and drawing one, and will look to spoil England's party in front of their home crowd.


Team News:

England: Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Cole Palmer are out due to injuries. Adam Wharton and John Stones withdrew from the squad before the win over Andorra.

Serbia: Djordje Petrovic, Nikola Milenkovic, and Sasa Lukic are expected to start for the hosts.



England's Lackluster Win

England's 2-0 victory over Andorra was a dull affair, lacking the spark and creativity in attack that fans might expect. With 11 shots in the game, England's lowest against a team outside the top 100 since 2011, questions arise about their chances in the tournament. If Thomas Tuchel aims to go all the way in the World Cup, significant improvements are needed.


Thomas Tuchel's hint at reviving long throws and long balls from the back may indicate a shift away from the short-passing style, possibly due to the current squad's limitations. This potential change in approach raises questions about how fans will react, especially after Gareth Southgate's more modern tactics. The coming months will reveal whether a more traditional English style will resonate with supporters.


Serbia vs England: A Tough Test Ahead

Serbia sits second in Group K, just five points behind England, and has played one less game. Despite being unbeaten, having drawn one and won two matches, Serbia's defensive solidity is notable, with no goals conceded so far. Aleksandar Mitrovic is expected to pose a significant threat to England's defense. England, however, leads the group with a perfect record of four wins from four matches, scoring eight goals without conceding any.



Key Challenges for England

Thomas Tuchel's side will face a stern test against Serbia, who boasts a strong home record with clean sheets and recent wins. England's attacking prowess will be put to the test against Serbia's defensive rigidity. With both teams having not conceded any goals in the qualifiers, this match promises to be a closely contested affair.


Possible Outcomes

Given the teams' current form, a low-scoring match is possible, with England's experience and offensive punch likely to prevail by a narrow margin. A prediction of Serbia 1-2 England seems plausible, considering England's dominance in their previous encounters.


Betting Insights
  • England to Win: England is favored to win with odds ranging from -125 to -140 across different bookmakers.
  • Under 2.5 Goals: Given both teams' defensive strength, under 2.5 goals is a viable betting option, with odds around -145.
  • Harry Kane to Score: With three goals in the qualifiers, Harry Kane is a promising bet to score anytime at +125 odds.


The striker in question has been on fire, scoring eight goals in his last seven appearances. Interestingly, he had taken 24 shots against England's Jordan Pickford during his Premier League career, more than against any other goalkeeper, without finding the back of the net.


Luka Jovic and Dusan Vlahovic led the attack in Serbia's recent 1-0 qualifying win over Latvia, and they could start again against England. Vlahovic scored the winning goal in that match, showcasing his form after a strong performance for Juventus. Serbia's coach, Dragan Stojkovic, might stick with the same formation, given their success.


Serbia's Squad:

Forwards:

  • Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)
  • Luka Jovic (Fiorentina)
  • Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham)
  • Dusan Tadic (Ajax)


Midfielders:

  • Sasa Lukic (Torino)
  • Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio)
  • Filip Kostic (Juventus)
  • Nemanja Gudelj (Sevilla)


Serbia's attacking lineup is strong, with a mix of experienced players and talented youngsters. They'll look to exploit England's defense with their pace and skill.


Serbia's chances will also be boosted by the presence of Premier League players Nikola Milenkovic and Sasa Lukic, who can provide valuable insight and experience in the dressing room. This could give Serbia an edge, allowing them to potentially secure a favorable result against England.




Hostile Atmosphere Expected in Belgrade

The Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade is expected to be packed to capacity for the match against England, creating a partisan and hostile atmosphere. There's a hope that the situation won't escalate, potentially leading to further sanctions from governing bodies. The intense environment could impact England's performance.


“The Football Association of Serbia is under UEFA and FIFA scrutiny, as well as the history of various incidents that have made us subject to UEFA and FIFA disciplinary measures - we appeal to supporters to send out an image to the world that will make us all proud,” a statement released ahead of the game read.


The electric atmosphere at the Rajko Mitic Stadium could give Serbia a significant boost, as they feed off the energy of the home crowd. This advantage is amplified by their impressive defensive record at home, where they haven't conceded a goal in their last five matches against strong opponents like Spain, Austria, and Denmark.




Serbia's historical performance in World Cup qualifiers at home is also noteworthy, with only one loss in their last 28 matches (19 wins, 8 draws) since a 3-0 defeat to Belgium in 2012. This record suggests they have a strong chance of putting up a fight against England.


England vs Serbia: A Rematch Without Bellingham

The last meeting between England and Serbia was at Euro 2024, where Jude Bellingham's diving header secured a 1-0 win for England. However, Bellingham won't be part of the team for Tuesday's match due to an ongoing injury. He's been out since undergoing surgery in mid-July for a nagging issue and is expected to return in October. Despite his absence, England will look to continue their winning streak against Serbia.


Elliot Anderson impressed in England's win over Andorra, showcasing exceptional passing accuracy. He achieved a pass accuracy of 93.9%, the highest among players who made over 100 passes in the game. Meanwhile, Ezri Konsa had a perfect 100% pass completion rate, but this statistic is somewhat misleading given his limited involvement, playing only 18 passes during his brief appearance.


It's unlikely that Thomas Tuchel will consider benching Elliot Anderson, given his impressive midfield performance. However, other players might feel less certain about their starting positions. Noni Madueke and Marcus Rashford had subpar stretches in the match against Andorra, and against a strong opponent like Serbia, Tuchel can't afford any underperforming players. England needs its entire squad to bring their A-game to top the group.




A Tightly-Contested Match Ahead

England's absence of key players like Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Cole Palmer will be deeply felt, particularly in terms of creativity and attacking threat. Without Saka and Palmer, England's play might become one-dimensional, lacking the usual spark. Given the strong defensive records of both teams, the match is likely to be tight, with a single goal potentially deciding the outcome.




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