Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
With a spot in the final of this summer’s EURO U21 Championships up for grabs on Wednesday night, England will meet the Netherlands in Bratislava.
England U21
Starting with England, while the Three Lions might have signed off their group stage adventure with a worrying 2-1 loss at the hands of arch-rivals Germany, Lee Carsley’s camp came roaring back in a sensational fashion over the weekend. Punching their semi-final ticket thanks to an eye-catching 3-1 romp against Spain, they will certainly be seeking a repeat performance on Wednesday night. However, despite getting their European Championship campaign underway with another 3-1 win against the Czech Republic on June 12th, England know the importance of finding some crucial defensive steel. Including an action-packed 5-3 defeat against France back in March, Carsley’s side have recorded just a single clean sheet in any of their last seven appearances across all competitions.
England U21 Team News
Coming off the bench and finding the net against Spain last weekend, Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson should be handed a full recall in the middle of the park. Despite completing a move to Marseille this month, former Burnley defender CJ Egan-Riley will have to settle for another spot among Carsley’s substitutes.
Opening his summer account on Saturday, Manchester City starlet James McAtee will lead the Three Lions out on Wednesday night. Expected to complete a move to Bayer Leverkusen this month, Jarell Quansah will start at the heart of Carsley’s defence.
Netherlands U21
As for the Netherlands, while Michael Reiziger’s side might have collected just a single point from their opening two group stage appearances, Holland have found top gear at a crucial time. Booking their final four ticket last weekend as they claimed a gritty 1-0 victory against Portugal, the Oranges have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 14 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to March 2024. While the Netherlands might open Wednesday’s trip to Bratislava pencilled in as a real underdog contender, they will be excited by a largely rugged record against England. Including a 2-1 victory when they met the Three Lions back in November 2019, they are unbeaten in all of their six historic meetings.
Netherlands U21 Team News
Shown a first-half red card against Portugal over the weekend, AZ Alkmaar starlet Ruben van Bommel will miss out through suspension on Wednesday night. Coming off the bench and bagging a famous late winner on Saturday, Ernest Poku should be handed a full recall in the final third.
Making 29 Premier League appearances for Aston Villa last season, ex-Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen will start at left-back. Middlesbrough ace Ran van den Berg will partner Ajax’s Sorrel Hato at the heart of Reiziger’s defence here.
England U21 vs Netherlands U21 Key Factors to Consider
- When England and the Netherlands last met back in November 2024, Wednesday’s semi-finalists played out a 1-1 stalemate.
- In fact, Holland are unbeaten in all of their six historic meetings against the Three Lions across all competitions.
- England have recorded just a sole clean sheet in their previous seven matchups across all fronts.
- Holland have suffered just a single defeat from their last 14 consecutive appearances.
- Three of the last four meetings between England and the Netherlands have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
While England might open Wednesday’s showdown in Bratislava pencilled in as a standout contender, the Netherlands are more than capable of asking some real questions. With the two semi-finalists playing out a 1-1 stalemate when they last met seven months ago, Holland are unbeaten in all of their six historic meetings against the Three Lions. It should also be noted, with three of the last four meetings between England and the Netherlands finishing with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome on Wednesday night.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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