Gareth Southgate’s England will be full of confidence when they take on Montenegro on Monday night. The two nations will play at the City Stadium in Podgorica.
Montenegro have never qualified for the European Championship. The national team has only been playing since 2007, but it has failed to qualify for the last three tournaments. In 20 Euro qualifying matches prior to their current campaign, Montenegro have won just six times.
England and Montenegro do have previous history in European Championship qualifying. The two teams played in Group G during the Euro 2020 campaign. England topped the group while Montenegro shocked the world coming second. Unfortunately, Montenegro fell in the playoffs to the Czech Republic, but did hold their own during qualifying.
The two nations met again in 2013 during World Cup qualifying. Montenegro again held their own against the more powerful English.
The two nations have met on four occasions. Three of those games ended in draws, while their most recent in October 2013, finished with a 4-1 win for the Three Lions. In three of the four matches between Montenegro and England there have been over 1.5 goals scored.
England are a far better side than they were nearly six years ago. Southgate continues to select exciting players deserving of international call-ups. The manager will most like rotate some of his players following England’s matchday 1 game against the Czech Republic. It shouldn’t hurt them as England have plenty of quality throughout the squad. England arguably have the most talent they have had in years.
There is an argument being made in the English press that young stars Jadon Sancho, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and others could push the team’s World Cup heroes to the side. But England still need Harry Kane’s goalscoring to lead them. No other player has shown the capacity to get the goals Kane does.
A lot of stock is being put into Sancho and Hudson-Odoi without either truly achieving anything at the club level yet. In Hudson-Odoi's case, he has shown potential, but at just 18, the player seems to want the world all at once. Is he truly ready for the big international stage?
England are heavy favourites to pick up a second straight win over Montenegro. The hosts will have their backs to the wall. The squad has some familiar names like Stevan Jovetic. However, the AS Monaco man just returned from a knee injury. If he appears against England it is a wonder just how effective he will be.
The Three Lions have an opportunity to gain three big points against Montenegro. It could be a chance for England’s young stars to prove they are worth the hype.