England travel to Serbia for a Group K World Cup qualifier on Tuesday for what looks to be their toughest test of the campaign.
England’s 2-0 win over Andorra didn’t exactly set pulses racing, with the minnows doing everything they could to stifle the Three Lions.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have largely just been going through the motions on the way to the World Cup, but Tuesday’s visit to Serbia will be different.
Expect a hostile reception for the Three Lions in Belgrade, as they face a crunch clash away to their biggest rivals in this qualifying campaign.
Serbia vs England Bet Builder
Selections
- Noni Madueke 1+ shots on target @ 6/5
- Dusan Vlahovic 1+ shots on target @ 11/20
- Andrija Zivkovic to be carded @ 7/2
- Morgan Rogers to be carded @ 3/1
Pays out at
50/1
Madueke thriving under Tuchel
Noni Madueke should prove to be a real thorn in the side for Serbia, as the winger has the opportunity to go one-on-one with their left-wing back.
Whichever option Serbia decide to deploy against Madueke should struggle, as the Arsenal winger has been a standout player under Tuchel. He had the second-highest Expected Goals tally in the win over Andorra.
This game should be more suited to him, as he’ll be less crowded and should get more space to run into.
Leg 1: Noni Madueke 1+ shots on target @ 6/5
Talisman Vlahovic to have a say
Dusan Vlahovic has a strained relationship with Juventus, but the striker continues to be Serbia’s talisman. He scored the winner against Latvia last week, while he has six shots on target from four international appearances in 2025.
Vlahovic was a problem when these two sides met at Euro 2024, with the striker having two efforts on goal, with one on target.
Serbia can’t just settle for a point here, so at some point, they’ll need to commit players forward. Vlahovic should be central to everything they do, so back him to trouble Jordan Pickford at least once.
Leg 2: Dusan Vlahovic 1+ shots on target @ 11/20
Zivkovic facing double threat
Both Serbian wing-backs should be tested on Tuesday, but Andrija Zivkovic arguably faces the biggest battle of the two. Not only will he be facing whichever winger Tuchel picks on that side, he’ll also be up against Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The Arsenal full-back is adept at drawing fouls, while England will surely look to isolate Zivkovic one-on-one with their left-winger at points during the game.
Zivkovic was booked twice in four Nations League appearances, while he has already been cautioned for his club, PAOK, in the Europa League this term. He’s facing a huge step up in class on Tuesday, so back him for a caution.
Leg 3: Andrija Zivkovic to be carded @ 7/2
Rogers could be Villan of the piece
Morgan Rodgers is pushing for a place in the England side, but his discipline looks like something to target on Tuesday. The Aston Villa man finished last season with 10 yellow cards in the Premier League alone.
Rogers was cautioned seven times on the road across Premier League and Champions League action. Given the atmosphere this clash is expected to be played in, England players should be among the cautions, despite largely avoiding cards in this campaign.
At 3/1 for a card, Rogers is a standout in that market, given how often he’s been booked for his club side.
Leg 4: Morgan Rogers to be carded @ 3/1
