Verdict: England U21 win

Best Odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Looking to punch their European Championship semi-final ticket on Sunday evening, England will meet Portugal at the Stadion Ramaz Shengelia.

England U21

Starting with England, signing off their group stage romp with a 2-0 victory against bitter rivals Germany, Lee Carsley’s squad are enjoying a stunning summer flurry. Opening their European Championship adventure with a routine 2-0 win against the Czech Republic on June 22nd, the one-time Everton midfield finds his young side tipped as a standout contender this summer. Breezing their way to the knockout stage and winning each of their three Group C appearances by an aggregate score of 6-0, the Young Lions will be looking to make a real quarter-final statement on Saturday evening. In fact, along with opening 2023 with a remarkable 4-0 friendly romp against France back on March 25th, England have now won 11 of their previous 13 matchups across all competitions. Likewise, yet to ship a single European Championship strike this summer, it should also be noted that Carsley’s side have recorded a clean sheet in four of their last five appearances.

Team News

All handed a rest against Germany earlier in the week, the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White, Emile Smith Rowe and Anthony Gordon should make a full return on Sunday evening. Norwich’s Max Aarons should replace Ben Johnson at right-back.

Manchester City starlet Taylor Harwood-Bellis will once again partner Levi Colwill at the heart of Carsley’s defence. Likewise, 20-year-old James Trafford will start between the sticks here.

Portugal U21

As for Portugal, snatching a stunning last-gasp 2-1 win against Belgium earlier in the week and just about pinching their own knockout stage ticket, Rui Jorge’s squad will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. However, opening their summer adventure with a shock 2-0 defeat at the hands of Georgia on June 21st, the Navigators are trying to find some recent stability. Signing off 2022 with a 2-1 friendly loss at home against Japan, the Reds recorded just one win from their three Group A appearances. However, while Portugal might travel to the Stadion Ramaz Shengelia tipped as an underdog pick on Sunday evening, the Navigators will be excited by an eye-catching record against their fellow European giants. Including a 2-0 victory when they two sides met on European Championship duties two years ago, Jorge’s squad have won three of their last four showdowns against England.

Team News

While Wolves’ Fabio Silva might still be waiting to grab his first European Championship strike this summer, the 20-year-old should spearhead Jorge’s charge on Sunday evening. Silva looks set to be joined in the final third by Wolves teammate Pedro Neto.

Missing out against Belgium earlier in the week after serving a one-match suspension, Empoli defender Koni De Winter could be handed a full recall at the heart of Portugal’s defence.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back in March 2021 while on European Championship duties, Portugal picked up a 2-0 victory.
• Likewise, the Navigators have won three of their last four matchups against England across all competitions.
• However, the Young Lions won each of their three Group C appearances by a 2-0 scoreline.
• Portugal have managed to muster just a pair of clean sheets from any of their last nine contests across all formats.
• Yet to concede a single strike this summer, England have also recorded a clean sheet in four of their last five appearances.

Conclusion

While Portugal might hold a stellar recent record against Sunday’s opponents, the Navigators will be more than aware that they face a huge challenge on Sunday evening. Mustering just one win from their three Group A appearances this summer, it is no secret that a high-flying England are tipped as a genuine contender in 2023. Breezing their way to the knockout stage and signing off their Group C romp with a routine 2-0 victory against Germany in midweek, the Young Lions will be looking to make another statement here. Gaining a reputation for their continued defensive steel, we are backing Carsley’s squad to extend on their European Championship adventure this weekend.

Verdict: England U21 win

Best Odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Dachbet