Two successful sides from the previous cycle’s promotion/relegation play-offs in the UEFA Nations League (UNL) open their League A campaign against each other as Serbia meet Greece for the first time in competitive action.
Match News and Current Form
Serbia’s first competitive action in ten months sees them kick off their UNL campaign after a trio of 3+ goal margin defeats in friendly action in 2026 (W1). Most recently missing out on World Cup qualification in competitive action, Serbia will hope they can fare better in this edition of the UNL after surviving in League A only by virtue of beating Austria in the promotion/relegation play-off after finishing third in 2024/25. The latest squad has raised eyebrows with 37-year-old Dušan Tadić earning his first national selection since Euro 2024, as he looks to help his nation win a UNL opener for the first time since the maiden edition in 2018 (D1, L2).
Also not featuring in competitive action since failing to qualify for the World Cup in November, Greece have failed to even score in three of their four subsequent friendlies (D2, L2). Despite their recent struggles, the future looks bright for a side who’ve climbed the ranks from League C over the previous two UNL campaigns and boast a number of in-form Premier League stars such as Brighton’s Charalampos Kostoulas. Drawing their previous three away fixtures, Greece now seek a first travelling victory since their 3-0 play-off triumph in Glasgow over Scotland in March 2025 which secured their place in League A (D3, L2).
Head-to-Head History
This is only the third H2H and the first since 2014. Both prior meetings were friendlies and were won without reply by the away side on the day.
Hot Stats and Streaks
None of Serbia’s three Belgrade-held games since the start of 2025 saw both teams score (W1, D1, L1).
Seven of Serbia’s eight UNL matches in the previous cycle produced under 2.5 goals.
Four of Greece’s last five fixtures produced under 1.5 goals.
Five of Greece’s six UNL victories in 2024/25 came without reply.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Plying his trade in Greece with AEK Athens, Serbia’s Luka Jović hasn’t scored for his country in 15 games since 2024, but each of his last three scoring appearances for his club saw him net with a header. Vangelis Pavlidis will hope to end an eight-game goal drought for Greece after scoring 14 times across his last 12 games for Benfica, four of the last five of which arrived before half time.
Nikola Milenković was unavailable for a Serbia call-up due to a muscle injury, while Greece’s Dimitris Giannoulis also missed out on the call due to an injury.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Neither nation has lit up the stage in any sense of late, so backing a draw could prove fruitful in this season opener.
Author: Matthew Billon
