A preview of the England v Serbia World Cup Qualifier – what you need to know before placing your bets.
It’s England v Serbia this week in a not-so-crucial World Cup Qualifiers given England have already qualified. However, there’s plenty to play for for Serbia as they seek to pip neighbours Albania to second spot in the group and a place in the 16-team UEFA World Cup Playoffs.
England clinched their place at the World Cup thanks to a 5-0 demolition of Latvia in Riga last October. Their second 5-0 away win in the group in succession. Thomas Tuchel has also recalled Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham to the squad, although it remains to be seen whether either will start the game with Serbia.
England v Serbia kicks off at 7.45pm on Thursday 13th November at Wembley. Let’s now take a look at some of the top betting markets you can find available on this big game with bet365 Sport.
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Bet on the following England v Serbia betting lines at Bet365:
SUPERBOOST > Harry Kane to Score Anytime @ 7/4
Full Time Result:
England 2/7, Draw 19/4, Serbia 9/1
Result/Both Teams to Score:
England – Yes 9/4, No 10/11
Serbia– Yes 18/1, No 14/1
Draw – Yes 13/2, No 12/1
To Win from Behind: England 7/1 / Serbia 28/1
To Win to Nil: England 10/11 / Serbia 14/1
To Win Either Half: England 1/6 / Serbia 7/2
To Win Both Halves: England 13/8 / Serbia 50/1
To Score in Both Halves: England 10/11 / Serbia 10/1
Goalscorer Markets
Harry Kane to be First Goalscorer @ 3/1
Bukayo Saka to Score Anytime @ 8/5
Declan Rice to Score or Assist @ 13/10
Dusan Vlahovic to score anytime @ 9/2
Luka Jovic to Score or Assist @ 3/1
Aleksandar Katai to Score or Assist @ 3/1
Match Specials
Bet Boosts
– Harry Kane over 1.5 headers on target @ 8/1
– Declan Rice over 0.5 shots on target from outside the box @ 13/5
Bet Builder Boosts
*Odds and Boosts are subject change always check the latest odds at bet365 Sport.Sport.
England became Europe’s first World Cup qualifier last October when their 5-0 win in Latvia ensured they would finish top of Group K. With two games left to play, the pressure is off Thomas Tuchel’s men, allowing the manager a chance to look at some other options in preparation for next summer.
However, Tuchel has shown faith in the team that beat Serbia 5-0, Wales 3-0 and then Latvia 5-0, which means the likes of Anthony Gordon, Elliott Anderson and Morgan Rogers could retain their place in the team ahead of the returning Bellingham and Foden.
The German may elect to give newcomers Alex Scott (Bournemouth), Jarrell Quansah (Leverkusen) and Nico O’Reilly (Man City) their first full cap across this game and the game against Albania and I expect him to make some tactical changes to the team from one game to the next.
Serbia know they ideally need a win or a draw from this fixture, with Albania likely to beat Andorra but they know that Albania’s final fixture is at home to England. If they can secure a point, they would take this to the final set of fixtures. However defeat here and a win for Albania would confirm Albania as runners-up.
New manager Veljko Paunovic is likely to adopt a much more defensive approach than his predecessor Dragan Stojkovic did in the game in Belgrade. Expect Serbia to play a low block in a 4-5-1 formation and then try to hit England on the counter-attack.
Skipper Aleksandar Mitrovic misses the game through suspension.
England have played Serbia just twice previously, beating them 1-0 in the 2024 European Championship Finals group stage and then 5-0 away from home in the reverse of this fixture back in September.
Probable England XI: (4-2-3-1) – Pickford; Konsa, Spence, Guehi, Stones; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Rogers, Gordon; Kane.
Probable Serbia XI: (4-5-1) – Rajkovic; Pavlovic, Erakovic, Milenkovic, Veljkovic; Gudelj, Lukic, Radonjic, Kostic, Samardzic; Vlahovic
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The key decision is whether Tuchel sticks with the likes of Elliott Anderson, Morgan Rogers and Antony Gordon or elects to drop one or two of them for the returning Bellingham and Foden. After such good recent performances, I envisage Foden and Bellingham starting from the bench and coming on at some point in the second half. Expect England to play the 4-2-3-1 formation that Tuchel has used productively in his last few games.
Serbia will likely adopt a 4-5-1 formation that will become 5-5 when England have possession. They will try and hit England on the counter attack and try to become the first team to score a goal against the Three Lions in this qualifying campaign, as well as improving their own hopes of qualifying for the playoffs.
Serbia would take a point at the start of the game with England if offered, but England have had a history of faltering in games with little at stake, which may give the visitors a chance of a surprise here. However, Tuchel will want to guard against that and in his quest to change England’s mindset, I expect him to name a full-strength team and take this game as if it were crucial to qualify.
If England can find that intensity to go with their defensive ruggedness, they should win this comfortably.
Prediction: England 3-0 Serbia
Another win and clean sheet for England would mean Serbia must win their final game and hope Albania do not beat England in Tirana in their final game to qualify for the playoffs.
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