England face Serbia in their next World Cup qualifier in what is expected to be the toughest fixture of Thomas Tuchel’s reign to date.
Despite his side once again largely flattering to deceive in attack against defensive-minded opponents, that result preserved Tuchel’s 100 per cent record in qualifying after a shock 3-1 home friendly defeat by Senegal in June and extended England’s advantage at the summit of Group K to five points on the road to the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
However, England should face a far sterner test amid what is expected to be a hostile atmosphere in Belgrade against a Serbia team who are also unbeaten in qualifying so far, sitting second behind England and five points adrift having played a game less.
Dragan Stojkovic’s men are unbeaten in their last seven matches and defeated Latvia 1-0 in Riga on Saturday thanks to an early effort from Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Serbia vs England is scheduled for a 7:45pm BST kick-off today, Tuesday September 9, 2025. That is 8:45pm local time.
The match will take place at the 51,755-capacity Rajko Mitic Stadium, home of Red Star Belgrade.
Where to watch Serbia vs England
TV channel: In the UK, the match will be broadcast live and free-to-air on ITV1. Coverage begins at 7pm ahead of the 7.45pm kick-off.
Live stream: You can also watch the game live online via the ITVX website and app, which is free with a sign-up.
Live blog: Standard Sport’s live blog will keep you up to date with all the action on the night.
Serbia vs England team news
Vlahovic started up front with Luka Jovic for Serbia against Latvia, with Aleksandar Mitrovic coming off the bench.
Djordje Petrovic – who joined Bournemouth from Chelsea in the summer – was in goal in the absence of Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, with Stojkovic’s squad also including the likes of Fulham midfielder Sasa Lukic and Nottingham Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic.
England are without the key injured trio of Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer for this latest round of fixtures, while Adam Wharton and John Stones both withdrew from the squad before the win over Andorra.
Threat: Dusan Vlahovic netted the only goal of the game for Serbia against Latvia in Riga
REUTERS
Serbia vs England prediction
It was slightly better fare from England at the weekend, which is hardly saying much given how turgid they were against Andorra and Senegal in June.
They looked more fluid at times at Villa Park, but the killer final ball was almost always lacking and more decisiveness was needed from the likes of Madueke, Eze and Rashford in particular.
It was a game from which Tuchel will ultimately have learned very little, but that should not be the case in Belgrade on Tuesday.
While not world-beaters, and having laboured to a low-key win of their own on Saturday, Serbia are on paper the most difficult opponents in England’s group and typically strong at home as a hostile atmosphere awaits.
Perhaps facing an opponent more likely to attack them will bring the best out of a Three Lions team repeatedly frustrated by sides that pack 11 men behind the ball.
It feels like England need an impressive performance here with a bit more imagination and flair to quell the naysayers who have been less than satisfied with Tuchel’s reign so far.
But we’re predicting a cagey affair that may well be high on tension and noise levels, but ultimately low on goals, chances and quality in the final third.
Previous meeting: Jude Bellingham scored England’s winning goal against Serbia in their Euro 2024 opener
Getty Images
Head to head (h2h) history and results
England previously met Serbia in their opening group game at Euro 2024 last summer, when Bellingham’s early header secured a nervy 1-0 win for Gareth Southgate’s eventual beaten finalists in Gelsenkirchen.
Serbia vs England match odds
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).