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Montenegro vs. England: Euro 2020 Qualifying Odds, Live Stream, TV Info

Tom Sunderland@@TomSunderland_Featured ColumnistMarch 24, 2019

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22:  Raheem Sterling of England celebrates as he scores his team's fourth goal and completes his hat trick during the 2020 UEFA European Championships Group A qualifying match between England and Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium on March 22, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Clive Rose/Getty Images

England shot to the top of Group A in UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying by thrashing the Czech Republic 5-0 on Friday, and they travel to Montenegro on Monday hoping to keep up their perfect start.

Montenegro fell victim to a refereeing injustice in their Group A opener on Friday, conceding a late penalty to draw 1-1 against Bulgaria and allowing the Three Lions to claim a quick advantage at the top of the pool.

England manager Gareth Southgate will, however, be wary of the fact that England have never beaten this opponent at Podgorica City Stadium. His side travelled to the venue during qualifying for UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup but were only able to draw on each visit.

Group A's leaders will be hopeful of breaking their duck in Montenegro after smashing five past Czech Republic, while Montenegro will feel aggrieved not to be entering this duel level on points.

                   

Date: Monday, March 25

Time: 7:45 p.m p.m. GMT/3:45 p.m. ET

Venue: Podgorica City Stadium

Live Stream: ITV Hub (UK), ESPN+ (U.S.),

TV Info: ITV (UK)

                       

Odds

Montenegro: 7-1

Draw: 16-5

England: 6-11

                

Preview

The Three Lions may hold a disappointing record in Podgorica, but a dazzling display on Matchday 1 sent reminded England's Group A foes who the favourites are.

Raheem Sterling's hat-trick was a driving force behind their win at Wembley Stadium, the latest continuation in what could be the best season of the Manchester City forward's career.

OptaJoe celebrated a 20-year first following Sterling's superlative form for club and country:

OptaJoe @OptaJoe

3 - Raheem Sterling is the first England player to score a hat-trick for club and country (vs Watford & Czech Republic) in the same month since Alan Shearer in September 1999 (vs Luxembourg & Sheffield Wednesday). Glut. #ENGCZE https://t.co/HFItOV9ziR

It was also a special night for Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho, who didn't take long to mark his first England start with an assist to Sterling:

Jadon Sancho @Sanchooo10

Another massive achievement for me, making my competitive debut! What a way to kick off our Euro2020 qualifying campaign! Congratulations to my bro @Calteck10 making his England debut n my big bro getting ⚽️⚽️⚽️ @sterling7 . @England🔥 https://t.co/ZbGVKW1kZU

Sancho will be hopeful of keeping his place in Southgate's starting XI for the trip to Montenegro, though the manager could decide to ring the changes despite still being in the early stages of the competition.

Czech Republic may be considered by many as the second-best team in Group A, but former England midfielder Chris Waddle illustrated just how far above their standard England looked, as BBC 5 Live Sport shared:

BBC 5 Live Sport @5liveSport

"#ENG could have had eight or nine" - @ChrisWaddle93 A dominant second-half performance for Southgate's side. #ENG 5-0 #CZE ⚽️📲: https://t.co/twbFk60PtB #ENGCZE #ThreeLions https://t.co/Sn7XTBvS6p

The Brave Falcons drew 1-1 away to Bulgaria on Friday after Stefan Mugosa put them ahead in the 50th minute, only for a bizarre refereeing decision to give their hosts the chance to equalise late on.

French official Ruddy Buquet awarded a penalty for a foul that clearly occurred outside the box, as Sky Sports shared (UK only):

Sky Sports Football @SkyFootball

🙈 - The referee will not want to see that again... There's drama in Group A as Bulgaria are awarded a penalty in controversial circumstances! https://t.co/CEdZeo6Wyc

Todor Nedelev converted the resulting spot-kick to devastate Montenegro, with footage courtesy of Optus Sport (U.S. only):

Optus Sport @OptusSport

Bulgaria equalise from the spot. Todor Nedelev scored from the spot but the referee made a real blunder here, awarding a penalty for a foul clearly outside of the 18 yard box. Bulgaria 1-1 Montenegro #BULMNE #OptusSport https://t.co/m7mCD3eF80

Montenegro have lost their past two home games without scoring a goal, while England are unbeaten in six and have won their past four on the trot.

Southgate's new-look Three Lions got off to a slick start in Euro 2020 qualifying and will hope to increase their two-point cushion at the top of Group A in Podgorica.