Serbia vs England tips and predictions: Tuchel’s Three Lions face stern test in Belgrade’s ‘Marakana’

Serbia state of play

The stage is set as Serbia take on England in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier. Sitting second in Group K behind England and with a game in hand, Serbia will be eager to upset the Three Lions.

Fresh off a 1-0 victory over Latvia, Serbia are unbeaten in seven heading into their encounter with the English. 

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Dragan Stojkovic’s team have only conceded two goals in six games, they’re a hard-working unit, and their squad boasts some familiar names. 

Former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is always a threat, while England will also need to keep a close eye on AEK Athens forward Luka Jovic and Saturday’s match winner Dusan Vlahovic. 

Nottingham Forest’s towering centre-back Nikola Milenkovic, Bournemouth goalkeeper Djorde Petrovic, and Fulham’s Sasa Lukic are other dependable performers with top-level experience.

On home soil and with a cauldron of noise behind them, Serbia won’t just roll over for England. 

England state of play

Top of the group and in a commanding position, England head to the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade as the group’s dominant force having won all four of their FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying fixtures. 

The Three Lions have shown the occasional lapse, though, evidenced by their narrow 1-0 escape against Andorra in June and a 3-1 friendly defeat to Senegal. 

However, their World Cup qualifying record is outstanding, having not lost a qualifier since a 1-0 defeat to Ukraine back in October 2009.

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Thomas Tuchel’s side have brushed aside all group opponents without conceding a goal so far, including in Saturday’s largely uninspiring 2-0 win over Andorra, but Serbia present a far sterner test. 

England are expected to rotate, but injuries rule out Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, and Levi Colwill. 

After receiving his first call-up, Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson impressed against Andorra and could make the starting line up once again. 

Key talking point: Do England have enough to get the job done? 

In the past, goals have generally flowed between the two sides. In fact, it’s a fixture that has an average goals of 2.94 across their various meetings over the years. 

However, the most recent clash between the sides at Euro 2024 in Gelsenkirchen was a cagey affair, with few clear chances. England edged it 1-0 thanks to an early strike from Jude Bellingham.

As mentioned, though, the 22-year-old Real Madrid star isn’t there to bail his team out this time after undergoing surgery to correct a shoulder issue in July.

With Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka also sidelined, the responsibility falls on the likes of Harry Kane, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke to step up and deliver.

Serbia are sure to make life difficult for a largely untested attack as they look to exact revenge in a setting known locally as the Marakana.

An intriguing encounter, it’s over to England’s fringe players to show Thomas Tuchel what they’re made of against a team they haven’t lost to in seven meetings. 

FIRST’s top tip for Serbia vs England  

As we saw at Euro 2024, another tight and potentially scrappy game could be on the cards. As such, backing a draw is tempting. 

Pick: Draw full-time result - 11/4 with BetMGM

Extra tips 

A high-scoring affair seems unlikely. Both teams are capable of finding the back of the net, though. A draw and over 1.5 goals therefore offers great value. 

Pick: Draw and over 1.5 goals - 17/4 with Ladbrokes 

After sealing a big move to Arsenal, Eberechi Eze is a player on a high right now. I expect the creative 27-year-old to have a say in this one and show Tuchel how important he can be.

Pick: Eberechi Eze to score or assist - 19/10 with BetMGM 

Finally, Harry Kane to score or assist is another solid bet. Kane is on 73 goals for the Three Lions, while he’s also capable of setting up one of his teammates. 

Pick: Harry Kane to score or assist - 6/5 with BetMGM 

Team news

England will be without Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, and Levi Colwill for this clash. 

Additionally, familiar players such as Trent Alexander‑Arnold, Jack Grealish, and Kyle Walker were omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s squad when it was announced on 29 August.

Serbia have no fresh injury concerns and head into the game with a fully fit squad, although Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has been left out once again. 

Serbia vs England predicted line-ups

Serbia: Petrovic; Veljkovic, Milenkovic, Pavlovic; Lukic; Zivkovic, Maksimovic, Ilic, Kostic; Vlahovic, Jovic (3-1-4-2)

England: Pickford; James, Guehi, Konsa, Lewis-Skelly; Anderson, Rice; Gordon, Eze, Madueke; Kane (4-2-3-1)

Form guide (all competitions) 

Serbia: WWLDDDWDWW

England: WLWWWWWWLW

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Odds correct at the time of writing.