Date: Sunday 16th June, 2024
Time: 8:00 pm
Stadium Velting - Arena
Referee Daniele Orsato (Italy)
Goal Scorer:
Serbia
Unlike some Euro 2024 competitors, Serbia came through the June warm-up period unblemished on the physical front and have all of their big-hitters available, meaning that Stojkovic is facing the best kind of selection dilemma in the final third.
The Eagles boss has tended to avoid starting both Vlahovic and Mitrovic up top and could stick with such an approach here, thereby allowing Tadic - the most-capped Serbia men's player of all time with 108 appearances - to return to the attacking third.
There should also be scope for Nemanja Maksimovic - rested for the Sweden win after a blow to the head against Austria - to return to the engine room, while Werder Bremen's Milos Veljkovic should return to the three-man defensive wall in front of either Predrag Rajkovic or Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
Serbia possible starting lineup:
V. Milinkovic-Savic; Veljkovic, Milenkovic, Pavlovic; Zivkovic, Maksimovic, Lukic, Kostic; S. Milinkovic-Savic, Tadic; Mitrovic
England
As for England, Southgate appears to have avoided an illness scare over key defender John Stones - also the victim of an ankle knock in the Iceland loss - who was successfully quarantined to his bedroom and is now training as normal again.
Consequently, Southgate's only absentee for Sunday's opener should be Luke Shaw, who is training fully once more following a muscular problem but will not be risked just yet, meaning that Kieran Trippier will continue to hold the fort on the left.
Fundamental attackers Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka are both raring to go after their well-earned rest periods, and Southgate is also expected to give Trent Alexander-Arnold the nod in a midfield position after his exceptional work against Bosnia.
England possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Alexander-Arnold, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane
Prediction: Serbia 1-2 England
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