ENGLAND begin their Euro 2024 preparations with an international friendly fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park on Monday night.
This will be the first of the Three Lions’ two warm-up matches ahead of this summer's showpiece, with another home game to follow against Iceland on Friday night.
Gareth Southgate’s side kick off their quest to conquer the continent on June 16 when they square off with Serbia.
The England chief will have to trim his provisional squad following the two upcoming warm-up friendlies, so several players will be looking to stake a claim on the plane to Germany.
As for Bosnia and Herzegovina, they will not be present at Euro 2024, having finished a distant fifth in their qualifying section before losing to Ukraine in the play-off round.
Those shortcomings prompted a change in the dugout for the Dragons, with Sergej Barbarez set to take charge of his nation for the first time at St James’ Park.
How the bookies view it: Three Lions to feast
Understandably, England are short-priced 1/7 favourites on Bet 365 to come out on top in this friendly fixture. However, if you fancy the Three Lions to win to nil, then that will bolster the odds up to a backable 4/5 (Bet 365) shot.
Bosnia and Herzegovina are huge outsiders at 12/1 on Bet 365, with the draw also considered unlikely at 15/2 with the same firm.
Head to head: History book blank
This will be the first time that England and Bosnia and Herzegovina have crossed paths on the international stage.
The Dragons have failed to win a friendly match away from home since 2018, which doesn’t bode well ahead of their maiden meeting with the star-studded hosts.
Players to watch: Mainoo to provide more magic?
Following his man-of-the-match display in the FA Cup final last weekend, Kobbie Mainoo will be looking to be England’s hero at Euro 2024. The Manchester United wonderkid is 13/2 (Bet 365) to score anytime on Monday night.
Evergreen striker Edin Dzeko continues to lead the line for his country. The Bosnia and Herzegovina hitman is as big as 9/2 to strike at St James’ Park.
Predicted line-ups
Jude Bellingham won’t be involved on Monday night due to his participation in this season’s Champions League final. Both Harry McGuire and Luke Shaw also look set to miss out due to injury.
New Bosnia and Herzegovina boss Sergej Barbarez could hand as many as nine players their international debut on Monday night.
England: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Branthwaite, Trippier; Mainoo, Rice; Saka, Maddison, Foden; Watkins
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Vasilj; Ahmedhodzic,Hadzikadunic, Kolasinac; Dedic, Gojak, Danilovic, Nalic, Gazibegovic; Prevljak, Dzeko
Anything else catch the eye?
Given the slower pace of friendly fixtures, siding with under three match cards could be worth considering at 4/5 on Bet 365.
This bet would have paid out in England’s 1-0 defeat at home to Brazil earlier this year, while Bosnia have only gone into the book once in each of their last two exhibition encounters.
With several substitutions also likely to disrupt the flow of a game, the 9/1 on offer with Bet 365 for no cards to be dished out also looks worthy of a long shot.
This International Friendly match between England and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be played on Jun 3, 2024 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best England vs Bosnia and Herzegovina prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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