Prediction: Czech Republic Under-21 vs England Under-21

Prediction: England Under-21 to win 1-0

Best Odds: 6/1

Bookmaker: etbet

The Czech Republic and England will face each other in the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship this week. The match between Jan Suchopárek’s side and Lee Carsley’s team will be held at the DAC Aréna in Dunajská Streda, Slovakia, and is scheduled to kick off at 8pm UK time on Thursday.

Czech Republic Under-21

The Czech Republic Under-21s are not among the favourites for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, but they are still a team to watch out for. Under manager Jan Suchoparek, they will be keen on getting out of Group B at least.

The Little Lions will face England, and Slovenia in Group B. England and are the two top teams in the group, but the Czechs cannot be written off just yet. If they get off to a good start and pick up a draw against England, then anything is possible.

The Czech Republic Under-21s went out in the group stage in 2023 and have failed to get past the first hurdle in each of their last four participations; not since 2011 have they advanced to the knockout rounds.

Team News:

The Czech Republic Under-21 side are likely to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Hornicek will be in goal for the home team. Chaloupek, Prebsl and Spacil will be the three defenders. Kozeluh, Vydra, Langhamer and Suchomel will be deployed in midfield. Karabec and Danek are likely to be the two attacking midfielders. Sejk will lead the line for the Czech Republic Under21s.

England Under-21

The England Under-21s are the reigning European champions. Under manager Lee Carsley, the Young Lions won the European Under-21 Championship in 2023, winning all six of their matches in Georgia and Romania without conceding a goal.

The Young Lions will fancy their chances of going all the way in Slovakia. The England Under-21 side will take on the Czech Republic, and Slovenia in Group B, with two of the top teams progressing to the knockout rounds.

Carsley said: “The fact that we won it in 1982 and 1984 and 2023, it’s a brilliant target to go for to try and do it again and to try and replicate Dave Sexton’s achievements if we can.

“We’re definitely going out to try and do that. It’s important that this next generation of England players believe that they can win major tournaments. These players are used to playing with that expectation day in, day out so it should be no different with England.”

Team News:

The England Under-21 side are likely to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation against their Czech Republic counterparts. Beadle will be in goal for the Young Lions, with Egan-Riley, Quansah and Cresswell in front of him in defence. Livramento, Gray, Anderson and Iling-Junior will be the four midfielders. Nwaneri and Hutchinson will be deployed in attacking midfield. McAtee will lead the line for the England Under-21 side.

Key Factors to Consider

• The Czech Republic Under-21s have won 3 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
• The Czech Republic Under-21s have not won any of their last 3 matches in all competitions.
• The Czech Republic Under-21s have drawn 2 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
• The England Under-21s have won 3 of their last 6 competitive games.
• The England Under-21s have lost 1 of their last 6 competitive games.

Conclusion

This should be a very competitive game, as both the Czech Republic and the England teams are good. It is very likely that the Young Lions will eke out a narrow win.

Prediction: England Under-21 to win 1-0

Best Odds: 6/1

Bookmaker: etbet