Euro 2024 team guide and best bets: Serbia
Serbia have plenty of class in their squad — particularly in forward areas. So, can they fire their way out of Group C at Euro 2024?
We've rounded up everything you need to know about Dragan Stojkovic's side in this comprehensive team guide, which features tactical analysis, players to watch out for, predicted line-ups, betting tips and much more.
How Serbia qualified for Euro 2024
A second-place finish in Group G saw Serbia secure a European Championship finals berth for the first time since declaring their independence in 2006.
Despite being at three of the last four World Cups, reaching this tournament has proven elsuive but 14 points from eight outings saw the Balkan nation end that hoodoo.
Though they trailed group leaders Hungary by four points, Dragan Stojkovic'ss side finished a comfortable three points ahead of neighbouring Montenegro to cement their appearance in Germany.
Serbia suffered two defeats across their eight qualifying matches, both of which came against the Hungarians in fiesty affairs.
Unsurprisingly, the goals of talismanic forward Aleksandar Mitrovic were key to their success. Nobody in Group G bettered the ex-Fulham forward's five goals.
Serbia's squad for Euro 2024
Serbia named a 26-man squad ahead of the tournament:
Goalkeepers: Vanja Milinković-Savić (Torino), Đorđe Petrović (Chelsea), Predrag Rajković (Mallorca)
Defenders: Srđan Babić (Spartak Moskva), Nikola Milenković (Fiorentina), Filip Mladenović (Panathinaikos), Strahinja Pavlović (Salzburg), Uroš Spajić (Crvena zvezda), Nemanja Stojić (Crvena zvezda), Miloš Veljković (Werder Bremen)
Midfielders: Veljko Birmančević (Sparta Praha), Mijat Gaćinović (AEK Athens), Nemanja Gudelj (Sevilla), Ivan Ilić (Torino), Saša Lukić (Fulham), Nemanja Maksimović (Getafe), Srdjan Mijailović (Crvena Zvezda), Sergej Milinković-Savić (Al-Hilal), Lazar Vujadin Samardžić (Udinese)
Forwards: Luka Jović (Milan), Filip Kostić (Juventus), Aleksandar Mitrović (Al-Hilal), Petar Ratkov (Salzburg), Dušan Tadić (Fenerbahçe), Dušan Vlahović (Juventus), Andrija Živković (PAOK)
Serbia's predicted starting XI for Euro 2024
Serbia's star player - Aleksandar Mitrovic
Since departing Fulham for Saudi Arabian Pro League outfit Al Hilal in a €52.6 million move last summer, Mitrovic has not lost his magic touch in front of goal.
Netting a total of 38 goals across all competitions in the Middle East this term, the 29 year-old remains his country’s go-to man up top, despite competition from the likes of Dusan Vlahovic and Luka Jovic.
A move to what many perceive as an inferior league has harmed several other players’ prospects of featuring at this tournament, yet Mitrovic's stock remains as high as ever in his homeland.
His physicality up top is a handful for any defender, while the forward has already found the net at a major tournament previously, scoring in two of Serbia’s three group stage matches in Qatar 18 months ago.
Mitrovic's 57 goals in Serbia colours comfortably cements him as the country’s all-time top-scorer, and him adding to that tally will be pivotal if Serbia are mark their first Euros appearance with a run to the knockouts.
Serbia's one to watch - Strahinja Pavlovic
Towering 22-year-old centre-back Strahinja Pavlovic has found a home at Red Bull Salzburg over the last two years following an unsuccessful stint with Ligue 1 side Monaco.
Pavlovic featured just eight times for the French club after joining from Partizan Belgrade and, following stale loan spells at Cercle Brugge and FC Basel, completed a €7 million move to Austria in 2022.
The defender not only featured in 26 of Salzburg’s 32 league games this term but also played in all six of their Champions League group matches, helping keep impressive clean sheets against Real Sociedad and Benfica respectively.
His eye-catching development has led to reported interest from European giants AS Roma and Juventus, with this summer’s Championships providing a perfect audition to impress potential suitors.
Ordinarily finding himself in a back three for his country, Pavlovic is quick over ten yards and his 6ft 4in frame makes him a potent threat from set-pieces in a physically dominant Serbian side.
Serbia's manager - Dragan Stojkovic
Now 59 years old, former Yugoslavian international Stojkovic ended his playing days with Japanese side Nagoya Grampus between 1994 and 2001 before returning in his first managerial gig seven years later.
Winning the J League in 2010 before adding the Japanese Super Cup the following year, Stojkovic was also named as the league’s Manager of the Year before exiting in 2013.
A hop across Asia to take over Chinese outfit Guangzhou R&F was next in 2015, helping the club avoid relegation in his first term before reaching the Chinese FA Cup semi-finals on two separate occasions prior to his departure in 2020.
After a brief break from management, Stojkovic was announced as the new Serbia manager in March 2021 and oversaw their qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Though Serbia bowed out at the group stage, they regrouped to reach this summer’s Championships in Germany, making Stojkovic the first Serbia manager to qualify for back-to-back major tournaments.
Serbia's Euro 2024 betting odds
Serbia to win EURO 2024 - 125/1
Serbia to reach the Euro 2024 final - 40/1
Serbia to qualify from Group C - 4/6
Denmark top goalscorer - Aleksandar Mitrovic 6/4, Dusan Vlahovic 5/2, Luka Jovic 6/1, Dejan Joveljic 6/1, Dusan Tadic 8/1, 10/1 BAR
*All best UK prices as of 30/05/24
Analysis and best bets for Serbia at Euro 2024
Expert analysis from Odds Now's Bradley Walker:
“Serbia are in an interesting group where, aside from England who are expected to emerge as clear leaders, the race for second looks tight.
"When a team is likely to be restricted to few chances, having potent forwards is crucial and Serbia are blessed with three strong options in Aleksandar Mitrovic, Dusan Vlahovic and Luka Jovic.
"They found themselves in a very strong group in Qatar 18 months ago, competing against Brazil, Switzerland and Cameroon, but getting out of this pool looks more realistic — particularly with third potentially being enough.
“Providing they can muster enough points in their matches against Denmark and Slovenia, there looks to be a very good chance we see them in the last 16 for the first time in their history.
"Mitrovic is a worthy 6/4 favourite in their team top goalscorer market and looks a good addition to some fun multiples."
Brad's Best Bets:
Serbia to Qualify from Group C - 4/6 (SkyBet)
Aleksandar Mitrovic to be Serbia’s top goalscorer - 6/4 (BetVictor)