EXCITEMENT is building among football fans as we are just weeks away from Euro 2024 – and England continue their preparations for the iconic tournament against Bosnia & Herzegovina TOMORROW!
The Three Lions are expected to sail through Group C which includes Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia.
But Gareth Southgate has an important job ahead of the competition as he needs to whittle his current 33-man squad list down to 26.
And there won’t be a better chance for players to prove themselves to the England boss considering the opposition has never beaten England and failed to qualify for the Euros.
Furthermore, Southgate made some controversial decisions such as leaving the likes of Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling out of the provisional squad.
So this gives some of England’s fringe players the chance to shine and potentially get on that plane to Germany this summer.
Fans are praying this is the year their heroes can finally go one step further and get their hands on a trophy.
England famously lost the last Euro final on penalties to Italy at Wembley.
But this golden generation of players is even greater than the last.
And with new stars like Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer around, confidence is higher than ever.
What is their form like?
England are worryingly without a win in their last three matches.
The last international break saw them lose to Brazil before being held to a draw by Belgium.
Before that, the Three Lions drew 1-1 with North Macedonia in their final Euro qualifier.
And Southgate will be hoping to turn things around starting with victory against Bosnia.
As for England’s opponents, they have lost their last four matches.
Bosnia and Herz were beaten by Ukraine, Slovakia, Luxembourg and Portugal.
And things don’t get any easier as they face Italy after England.
Team news
Jude Bellingham is unlikely to feature following his recent Champions League triumph with Real Madrid on Saturday.
And the same for Luke Shaw who Gareth Southgate has admitted is a ‘long shot’ from participating at the Euros due to his leg injury.
Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka, John Stones, Anthony Gordon and Harry Maguire will also play no part in Monday’s match.
And Jude Bellingham is unlikely to feature just two days after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid.
England’s 33-man provisional squad:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), James Trafford (Burnley).
Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
Elsewhere, new Bosnia boss Sergej Barbarez is expected to give captain Edin Dzeko a run out against England.
However, former Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac will not feature after picking an injury in Atalanta’s shock Europa League win against Bayer Leverkusen.
Who is England’s star man?
England will have plenty of key men on display.
But it’s hard to look past captain Harry Kane, who will be eager to net some goals ahead of a busy summer.
What has Southgate said?
“To play for your country is very special but bringing the team on the road is something that we’ve enjoyed doing. You never want to lose that aspect.
“We’ve got a nice contrast this week of being able to do both but we’re England and we represent everybody. I’ve played in the North East and I know how passionate people are about their football.
“It’ll be a brilliant night, really looking forward to that. We had a level of opponent in March that were ranked in the top five.
“We didn’t necessarily want that for this camp because the demands here are about getting the right physical aspect to the game as well as trying one or two things and getting the combinations going.”
SunSport’s prediction
England should be winning this comfortably.
Despite having several high-profile absences, the squad depth is off the charts.
And the Three Lions are sure to put on a convincing performance to give the nation a much-needed cheer.
Final score prediction: England 4 Bosnia & Herzegovina 0
When is England vs Bosnia & Herzegovina?
What TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?
How can I watch it for FREE?
YES!
England vs Bosnia & Herzegovina can be watched for FREE in the UK as long as you have a valid TV license.
What are the odds?
*Odds courtesy of Paddy Power are correct at time of publication
