England’s national team, featuring two players of Nigerian descent Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, will begin their EURO-2024 campaign on Sunday, June 16, with a match against Serbia’s national team.
Kick Off Nigeria shares its expectations and predictions for the Group C match between Serbia and England.
Will it Come Home?
For the first time in many years, England is considered a genuine and undisputed favorite for the European or World Championship. The Three Lions boast an incredible attacking line-up with Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and, of course, Bukayo Saka.
Bookmakers rate England’s chances of winning the tournament, which takes place in Germany from June 14 to July 14, very highly. According to 1xBet, odds of England’s victory are 1.509.
Clear Favourites Against Serbia
The analysts regard England as clear favorites for the match against Serbia on Sunday.
According to 1xBet the odds of England to win stand at 1.509. If Serbia wins, the bet will play with a coefficient of 7.49, and a draw can be bet on at 4.565.
Player to Watch: Bukayo Saka
Saka had an excellent season at Arsenal, but as we all know, good club form does not always guarantee a bright performance for the national team under the immense pressure of a major tournament. Journalists from the Guardian ponder the same question:
“Yet it is true that bringing club form to the international stage is tricky. Not every player adapts. Take Phil Foden, who is a free-scoring genius for Manchester City and a conundrum for England. Or, if we are being hypercritical, factor in Jude Bellingham’s record at this level: 29 appearances but only three goals.”
However, most fans, including those on the African continent, believe in Saka. If you also have faith in him, 1xBet offers a bet on Saka scoring against Serbia for 3.
As one. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/dERYh9wXm6
— England (@England) June 14, 2024
Does Serbia Stand a Chance?
The defeat by Iceland at Wembley, with which England completed their preparation for EURO-2024, does not fit into the overall picture at all. And it wasn’t an accidental loss—they attacked terribly boringly, created almost no chances, and deservedly received the outcome. Of course, we won’t draw conclusions from one game, but the Three Lions have been shaky in all friendly matches this year. They finished the last one with a draw against North Macedonia (1-1) and a modest 2-0 win against Malta.
But even with such inputs, it’s hard to dispute England’s advantage. It’s not just that they can gather themselves for important games, “dry up” and push weaker teams, but also the state of the Serbs themselves.
If you believe that the Balkan team can hold off England’s attacking football, 1xBet offers a bet that Serbia will not concede for 6.5.
Kick Off Nigeria’s Prediction
In our view, Gareth Southgate’s team will not have problems with Serbia unless they create problems for themselves. Given the strength of England’s attack and Serbia’s not-so-confident defense, our prediction is a 3-0 victory for the Three Lions.
If you want to bet on this precise score, 1xBet offers a bet for 10. If you simply believe in an England victory by two or more goals, your bet is 1.63.
