Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the World Cup qualifying match.
Belgrade hosts the standout clash in Group K. Serbia remain unbeaten and could close the gap at the top, while England have won all four of their opening fixtures and hold a comfortable lead. At stake — control of the group and a vital psychological edge.
Serbia
Serbia opened with a goalless draw against Albania before beating minnows Andorra and Latvia without conceding. Seven points from three games with a 4:0 goal difference is a solid return. The Serbians are regulars at World Cups but never progress beyond the group stage. At home their record is respectable — just two defeats in 10 matches — though they consistently struggle against top-tier opponents. The last meeting with England came at Euro 2024, where Serbia lost 0:1 to a Jude Bellingham strike.
England
England have started perfectly, four wins from four with an aggregate score of 8:0. Comfortable victories over Latvia and Albania were followed by back-to-back wins over Andorra, albeit by narrow margins. The English defence has yet to be breached in this campaign. Tournament qualification is routine for them, and their approach remains pragmatic — defensive solidity and ball control. Away from home in qualifiers, England are traditionally reliable and very difficult to beat.
Serbia vs England Prediction
Serbia can pose problems and will look to apply pressure, but England’s quality stands higher. However, the visitors won’t take risks; they will stick to a cautious game plan. With both teams placing heavy emphasis on defence, this has all the makings of a cagey encounter.
