Serbia and Greece begin their UEFA Nations League campaigns at the Rajko Mitić Stadium in Belgrade. Only six places separate the teams in the FIFA ranking, and neither arrives with convincing form.

Serbia have home advantage, but their recent defensive problems create uncertainty. Greece have also struggled for results, although their young attacking players give them reasons for optimism.

Serbia return after a difficult run

Serbia have won two of their previous five matches, beating Latvia and Saudi Arabia. Those victories were accompanied by heavy defeats against Spain, Cape Verde and Mexico, with eleven goals conceded across the three games.

Veljko Paunović still has an experienced group featuring Dušan Tadić, Sergej Milinković-Savić, Saša Lukić, Filip Kostić and Andrija Živković. Luka Jović and Dejan Joveljić are the main centre-forward options.

Neither Dušan Vlahović nor Aleksandar Mitrović has been included in the squad. Their absence leaves Serbia without the two strikers who have carried much of the team’s goalscoring responsibility in recent years.

The hosts should control periods of the match, but their recent defensive record makes them difficult to trust.

Greece bring young attacking talent

Greece have failed to win any of their previous five matches, recording three draws and two 1–0 defeats. Despite those results, Ivan Jovanović has several exciting attacking players available.

Christos Tzolis and Konstantinos Karetsas can provide creativity behind the striker, while Vangelis Pavlidis, Fotis Ioannidis and Tasos Douvikas offer different options through the middle.

Greece also have quality in deeper positions. Christos Zafeiris and Christos Mouzakitis provide energy in midfield, with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Konstantinos Koulierakis and Kostas Tsimikas available in defence.

The visitors may allow Serbia to have more possession before looking to attack quickly through Tzolis and Karetsas.

A close match in Belgrade

Neither team has produced consistent results, but Greece have shown that they can remain competitive away from home. Their recent draws against Sweden and Hungary demonstrate that they can stay organised against strong opposition.

Serbia possess more international experience, but their attacking absences and recent defensive performances make a home victory far from certain.

Greece have enough quality in midfield and attack to cause problems, particularly if Serbia leave space when pushing forward.

Verdict

Serbia’s home advantage makes this a difficult match for Greece, but the hosts have lost three of their previous five games and are missing their two most established strikers.

Greece should have enough quality to keep the match close and could take advantage of Serbia’s defensive problems.

Tip

Greece Draw No Bet