Euro 2024

England v Bosnia: Southgate's squad to shine at St James' Park

Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate has selection issues for Bosnia

Paul Higham expects a comfortable night in Newcastle for England as Gareth Southgate looks to get some final pointers for his Euro 2024 squad against visiting Bosnia...


England v Bosnia & Herzegovina
Monday 3 June
Kick-off 19:45

England enter their final Euro 2024 preparations with two warm-up matches against Bosnia at St James' Park on Monday before Iceland visit Wembley on Friday.

It's Gareth Southgate's last chance to decide who makes his final 26-man squad, with lesser opposition than the previous games against Belgium and Brazil this is all about playing for places.

So regardless of the side Southgate puts out, England are still whopping 1/91.11 favourites and should easily win this one in Newcastle.

Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are out, Jude Bellingham is excused and Harry Kane's back injury seems a problem, so there are plenty of places up for grabs.

Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney will likely be competing for one spot in the squad while Kobbie Mainoo, Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton and Curtis Jones have hopes in midfield and Jarrel Quansah, Jarrad Branthwaite and Ezri Konza fight it out for defensive positions.

Serbia have lost eight of 10, only beating Liechtenstein twice in that run, with just one clean sheet, they've conceded at least twice in seven - so backing and England win to nil looks the way to go.


Squad stars to shine for England

It's hard to pick the exact line-up Southgate will go for, but one of Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney will start, both should see some action and they're both 4/61.67 to score anytime.

Cole Palmer is 8/111.73 to find the back of the net after his stunning first season at Chelsea, while Phil Foden is 6/52.20 to score anytime and without Bellingham he could operate in his favourite central area and really show Southgate what he can do.

Jarrod Bowen is another player that's always impressed me when he's pulled on the Three Lions shirt and the bookies obviously fancy him to see plenty of action given he's a 5/61.84 shot in the anytime goalscorer market.

It always comes with the caveat of "if he starts" but if Southgate does given Foden the start then he looks the pick of the scorers market as he'll suddenly be England's main man without Kane and Bellingham on the field.


Base Bet Builder on skipper Trippier

We've got to do a lot of guesswork trying to figure out Southgate's side, but he's said Kieran Trippier will captain England at his home ground, so let's start with him to hit the target at a decent price of 13/102.30 considering the occasion and his dead ball specialties.

Trippier is also 4/71.57 for just 1+ foul which, again, given the adrenaline he'll have for the occasion is certanly of interest.

Conor Gallagher also looks set to start, and trying to make that final squad puts extra pressure on the Chelsea man, who is 13/102.30 for another 2+ fouls - which he managed in six of his last seven games of the season.


Now read Lewis Jones' three Euro 2024 tips with the free bet offer in mind!


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