England Seeks Winning Start In Euro 2024 Against Serbia

England will commence their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia, with manager Gareth Southgate hinting it could be his final major tournament in charge. Southgate has turned England into strong contenders, achieving a fourth-place finish in the 2018 World Cup. Despite this, penalty shootouts have been a recurring issue, notably in the Euro 2020 final and the 2022 World Cup quarter-final.

Excluding penalty shootouts, England has only lost one of their last 18 Euro games. According to the Opta supercomputer, England is the tournament favourite with a 19.9% chance of winning, slightly ahead of France. Serbia, making their first Euros appearance as an independent nation, is considered a potential surprise package due to their strong attackers.

England is expected to win with a 62.1% chance, while Serbia has a 16% chance of victory. The supercomputer also predicts that England has a 95.4% chance of reaching the last 16. The two teams last faced each other in 2003, with England securing a 2-1 victory. England has won the last four encounters between the two nations.

England's defense will face challenges due to injuries to key players Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw. However, their attacking capabilities remain strong. Serbia's attack, led by Aleksandar Mitrovic, is known for its physicality and strength, posing a significant threat to England's defense.

Midfield Dynamics

A key talking point for England is the identity of Declan Rice's midfield partner. Trent Alexander-Arnold may start in a new position, leveraging his ability to play in central areas and deliver accurate long balls and switches of play. This could be crucial in breaking down Serbia's defense.

Set-Piece Strength

England is renowned for their set-piece prowess. Alexander-Arnold's dead-ball skills could be instrumental in creating scoring opportunities. Players to watch include Mitrovic for Serbia, who is the team's all-time leading scorer, and Harry Kane for England, who has a proven record in international tournaments.

The match against Serbia will be a crucial test for Southgate's squad as they aim to start their Euro 2024 campaign on a positive note. With both teams bringing unique strengths to the table, fans can expect an engaging encounter.