England U21 vs Spain U21 predictions for Saturday’s Under 21 European Championship final clash at the Adjarabet Arena. Will the Young Lions win the tournament and bring football home? Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Match Live Saturday, 8th July at 5:00 pm In:
England U21 vs Spain U21 Predictions
[wptb id=391293]
The Young Lions and La Rojita Clash for Glory: A Tantalising Finale of the Under-21 Euro 2023
Key Stats
– Emile Smith Rowe has scored 2 goals in the tournament, justifying his potential as a scorer in the final.
– England U21s have a remarkable clean sheet record in the tournament, not conceding a single goal so far.
As the final battle for the Under-21 Euro 2023 crown dawns, the Adjarabet Arena gears up for a thrilling Saturday night showpiece event, witnessing an intense face-off between the stalwart defence of England Under-21s and the relentless offence of Spain Under-21s.
Setting the Stage: England U21s and Spain U21s’ Semi-Final Triumphs
Following a composed 3-0 victory over Israel, England U21s are set to appear in the tournament’s grand finale for just the fourth time. Meanwhile, Spain U21s decimated Ukraine with a merciless 5-1 onslaught, marking their spot in the ultimate showdown.
England’s semi-final clash with Israel had at times appeared sluggish, but Lee Carsley’s prodigious squad replicated their group-stage success against Israel to secure their place in the final. The Young Lions’ path to victory was highlighted by a stunning header from Morgan Gibbs-White, later supplemented by goals from Cole Palmer and Cameron Archer.
[wptb id=388698]
On the other hand, Spain, led by Santi Denia, showcased their unyielding offensive prowess in their semi-final against Ukraine. After an early setback with Artem Bondarenko’s goal, Spain retaliated with five different players – Abel Ruiz, Oihan Sancet, Antonio Blanco, Aimar Oroz, and Sergio Gomez – each contributing to the imposing scoreline.
England’s Path to Glory
England U21s, under Lee Carsley, are clearly on a quest to replicate past success, having last reached the Under-21 European Championships final in 2009. Continental glory is now within grasp, as the Young Lions have an opportunity to clinch the European championship title for the first time in 39 years.
Their path to the final has been paved with remarkable defensive solidity, marshalled by James Trafford, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and Levi Colwill. Notably, the Young Lions have yet to concede a goal in the tournament, even proving too sturdy for the 2021 finalists, Germany and Portugal.
Spain’s Road to the Final
Spain’s route to the final has been equally impressive, albeit characterised by a slightly different style. While they may not boast England’s flawless defensive record, Spain have compensated with an irresistible attacking force. They now gear up for their record-extending ninth final of the Under-21 European Championships.
With a rich legacy of five-time winners, level with Italy, Spain’s La Rojita are not a team to be underestimated. They bring a 19-match unbeaten streak to the final, reflecting their dominance in recent years.
The Showpiece Event: The Players to Watch
As the stage is set, specific players are worth keeping an eye on, given their performances so far in the tournament. Emile Smith Rowe, the English midfielder, is one such talent. With two goals and one assist to his name, Smith Rowe has proven his knack for attacking prowess and could be a key factor in England’s pursuit of victory.
On the Spanish side, the duo of Manchester City’s Sergio Gomez and Braga’s Abel Ruiz are players to watch out for. Each having netted three goals in the tournament, they pose a significant threat to England’s unbeaten defensive record.
Predictions: The Final Clash
Given the compelling performances from both sides, we anticipate a high-stakes, closely-fought match. I believe there is very good value in backing William Hill bet builder made of three selections and returning odds of 12/1: Emile Smith Rowe To Score, England U21 To Win & Both Teams To Score (90 Mins).
Emile Smith Rowe: The Emerging Star Poised to Shine
When discussing the potential game-changers in the U21 Euro 2023 final, we simply cannot overlook the role of Emile Smith Rowe in the England U21 squad. The youngster’s attacking prowess has been critical to the English success in the tournament thus far, with two goals to his name, a scoring frequency of 105 minutes per game, and an impressive goal conversion rate of 33%. He is proving to be a consistent threat, averaging 1.2 shots per game and hitting the target with his attempts 1.0 times per game, suggesting that when he pulls the trigger, it generally results in danger for the opposition.
Smith Rowe’s positioning and awareness on the pitch have often seen him exploit the smallest of gaps in defences. This bodes well for our prediction, as Spain U21, despite their attack-oriented approach, have sometimes lacked defensive solidity, conceding 4 goals throughout the tournament. Therefore, given Smith Rowe’s impressive form and Spain’s defensive vulnerability, there’s a compelling case to predict that the rising English star will find the back of the net in the final.
A Scoring Showdown: Both Teams to Score
Despite the Young Lions’ impressive defensive record, Spain U21’s attack cannot be underestimated. With 13 goals scored in 5 matches, Spain U21’s firepower has been unrelenting. Their performance against Ukraine, in which they netted five times, is a testament to their attacking ruthlessness.
Moreover, the Spanish side boasts two of the tournament’s three joint-top scorers – Gomez and Ruiz. These two talents are likely to challenge the English defence, potentially resulting in a breach of England’s so far unblemished defensive record.
Given the formidable attacking prowess of both teams, the likelihood of both teams scoring within the 90 minutes is high, adding the final element to our well-argued prediction of Emile Smith Rowe to score, England U21 to win, and both teams to score during the 90 minutes. It will be close, and details will decide, but England seem to have something more than the Spaniards and should be able to clinch the title this time around.
Furthermore, considering the strength of the teams and their recent forms, we propose a 2-1 victory for England U21s in the correct score market. While Spain’s relentless attack is expected to breach England’s defence at least once, the Young Lions’ performance so far hints at their potential to outscore their adversaries.
[wptb id=391293]
Top UK Bookies & Best Sign Up Offers
[wptb id=389092]
Subscribe To Our Newsletter For Exclusive Tips
Want to have exclusive tips from experts tipsters delivered right into your inbox? Subscribe Now To Our Newsletter. We will never spam, we fully respect your privacy!