On September 25, 2026, Serbia will host Greece in the UEFA Nations League, a match that promises to be intriguing despite both teams facing challenges. Serbia, known for its offensive prowess, is grappling with the absence of key players, while Greece has shown resilience against strong opponents.

Serbia enters the match with some confidence, having secured two wins in their last five outings. However, three defeats reveal vulnerabilities, particularly in their defensive setup. The absence of Aleksandar Mitrovic significantly impacts their aerial threat and pressure in the box, compounded by injuries to Nikola Milenkovic and Predrag Rajkovic, which necessitates adjustments in their backline.

Despite these setbacks, Serbia boasts enough talent to control the game. Midfielder Saša Lukić is expected to balance the midfield, while Lazar Samardžić adds creativity, and Dušan Vlahović remains a key figure capable of making a difference if provided with consistent service.

On the other hand, Greece is likely to adopt a more cautious approach, having scored only two goals in their last five matches while conceding just four. This reflects their priority on defensive structure, maintaining spacing between lines, and limiting central gaps. With Mitrovic absent, Vlahović will bear even more responsibility for Serbia's attacking efforts.

Greece's defense, led by Konstantinos Koulierakis and Konstantinos Mavropanos, is expected to be robust, while Christos Zafeiris and Christos Mouzakitis will work to help the team escape pressing situations. Up front, Christos Tzolis and Konstantinos Karetsas possess the speed to exploit any defensive lapses.

While Serbia is anticipated to dominate possession, finding space against a disciplined Greek side will not be straightforward. If the home team becomes impatient and pushes too high, Greece could capitalize on transitional opportunities. Therefore, this match is likely to be tightly contested, with the outcome hinging on the efficiency of both teams in converting limited chances.

In terms of predictions, Serbia’s recent matches have averaged 3.6 goals, contrasting sharply with Greece’s 1.2 goals per game. Given Greece's cautious style and Serbia's missing Mitrovic, a low-scoring game is expected, possibly ending in a 1-1 draw. Corner kicks are projected to be around nine, as both teams tend to create opportunities from set pieces. Additionally, with an average of over two yellow cards per match in their recent encounters, the game may see three yellow cards as both sides engage in tactical fouls.

In summary, Serbia will miss several key players, while Greece will also be without Dimitrios Giannoulis and Pantelis Hatzidiakos due to injuries. The anticipated lineups are as follows:

• Serbia: Vanja Milinković-Savić; Strahinja Eraković, Nikola Simić, Strahinja Pavlović, Filip Kostić; Saša Lukić, Vanja Dragojević; Andrija Živković, Lazar Samardžić, Dušan Tadić; Dušan Vlahović.
• Greece: Konstantinos Tzolakis; Georgios Vagiannidis, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Konstantinos Tsimikas; Christos Zafeiris, Christos Mouzakitis; Giorgos Masouras, Konstantinos Karetsas, Christos Tzolis; Anastasios Douvikas.

With both teams looking to secure valuable points in the group stage, this match is set to be a tactical battle worth watching.