Three Lions to Begin Euro 2024 Prep in Style**Our football betting expert offers his predictions and betting tips for the friendly clash between England and Bosnia-Herzegovina at St James’ Park.

England begins their Euro 2024 preparations with the first of two friendlies, as Gareth Southgate’s side takes on Bosnia-Herzegovina, who failed to qualify for the competition.

All odds are courtesy of bet365 and are correct at the time of publishing.

However, they are subject to change.

Firstly, England will be without several key players.

**Luke Shaw** and **Harry Maguire** are recovering from injuries, while **Buyako Saka** and **Anthony Gordon** will sit on the sidelines as well.

**Jude Bellingham** won’t feature either due to Real Madrid progressing to, and winning, the Champions League final on Saturday.

**John Stones** won’t be risked and **Harry Kane** will not feature too.

Additionally, **Jack Grealish** and **Kobbie Mainoo** are doubts.

However, many expect England to breeze past Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The Three Lions have won their last four meetings against Bosnia without conceding a goal.

Furthermore, **Sergej Barbarez’s** side have lost their last four games in all competitions, against Ukraine, Slovakia, Luxembourg, and Portugal.

It will be a second-string England team featuring hungry players looking to play their way into Southgate’s final team selection ahead of the European Championships.

With his 25 goals and 13 assists for Chelsea this season, **Cole Palmer** could be a prominent figure in this game.

Don’t be surprised if he picks up a goal or two.

**Ollie Watkins** is another name who could shine.

With Harry Kane confirmed to be on the sidelines, the Aston Villa star will be keen to impress and secure the back-up striker spot for the Euros.

With 19 Premier League goals and 13 assists to his name, Watkins is a man in form and has a great opportunity to add to his England goal tally against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The last time the 28-year-old scored for England was on 13 October 2023 in a 1-0 win over Australia at Wembley Stadium.

A rather unusual statistic is the regular occurrence of own goals in Bosnia-Herzegovina games.

In their last three contests, own goals have featured.

One favored them against Ukraine, another got them on the scoresheet against Slovakia, and there was another that Bosnia conceded in a 4-1 defeat to Luxembourg.

Whether it’s on a Bosnia counter-attack, or through England’s potential bombardment of their opponent's goal, it could very well be worth a punt to back there being an own goal.