France U21 vs Croatia U21 Preview and Prediction European U21 Championship Friday, 21 June 2019

France U21 Form & News Team

France let it be too late to secure a 2-1 victory against England in the opening match of the UEFA U21 European Championship. Moussa Dembélé saw an early penalty saved and Houssem Aouar hit the post from another penalty which would make it 1-1.

Les Bleuets added pressure with a man's advantage and were finally rewarded with Jonathan Ikon equalizing in the 89th minute and substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta forcing an own goal deep into extra time. Sylvain Ripoll's side held England to a shot on target, largely due to the defense duo Ibrahima Konate and Upamecano Dayot in Leipzig.

Ripoll won't want to make many changes here, but can make a few surprises with the high-quality squad available to him. Mattéo Guendouzi is an option in the midfield while striker Jean-Philippe Mateta may have to continue on the bench at the expense of Moussa Dembélé.

France have won 12 of their last 13 matches at the U21 European Championship including qualifying and short price favorites against Croatia at 1.36. The price is good for accumulators but I will mainly support France in the handicap -1 market at 2.00.

Croatia U21 Form & Team News

The Croatia U21 European Championship had a bad start after a 4-1 defeat against Romania. A number of individual errors harming Nenad Gracan's side with a long-range strike by Nikola Vlasic was far from enough to prevent a heavy defeat.

Vlasic is a star player on this team and he must be the best for Croatia to have a chance against France. Winger Josip Brekalo hobbled with a knee injury that could spell the end of his tournament.

Croatia's U21 team failed to record clean sheets in three of their last four matches in all competitions. The 4-1 defeat against Romania was the second time in four matches where they conceded four goals.

That was a big concern against a far superior French team. Croatia U21 are not favored here but can be supported at 8.00 to win by paying a draw of 4.50.

Forecast

France scored twice in the last five minutes from 1-0 to beat England 2-1 on Tuesday. Defeat in the first game will put France on the verge of going out but now they are in a good position in the group.
Croatia, meanwhile, is on the verge of elimination. They were beaten 4-1 against Romania in their first match and that would require an extraordinary turnaround for them to leave Group C.
There are exactly four goals scored in each of the last two meetings between the two countries, so expect a goal on Friday.

France U21 vs Croatia U21 Main Statistics

France U21 have won 12 of their last 13 matches (European Championship U21).
France U21 have kept 4 clean sheets in their last 6 matches (European Championship U21).
The France U21 squad is worth € 368 million.
Croatia U21 squad is worth € 78 million.
Croatia U21 have failed to keep clean sheets in 3 of their last 4 matches in all competitions.
Croatia U21 have conceded 4 goals in 2 of their last 4 matches in all competitions.

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England U21 vs Romania U21 Preview and Prediction European U21 Championship Friday, 21 June 2019

United U21 Form & Team News

England fell to a 2-1 defeat against France in the opening match of their U21 European Championship in Cesena. Dean Henderson saved a penalty, Phil Foden scored a great solo goal but the hurried challenge of Hamza Choudhury sent him out of the field to put England behind.

France's Houssem Aouar got another chance from the penalty spot but hit the post as England rode their luck. Aidy Boothroyd's side were unable to survive and conceded a goal in the 89th and 95th minutes.

Although reduced to 10 people for 30 minutes, England U21 managed only one shot on goal against the superior U21 French team. The Young Lions have to bounce back here but have not won three matches in 2019, losing twice with a draw.

Boothroyd might be tempted to make some changes here with Tammy Abraham replacing Dominic Solanke up front. Choudhury suspension means Morgan Gibbs-White can enter the first team.

England U21 are favorites at 1.53 but I think there is more value in BTTS and more than 2.5 goal markets. England U21 have seen BTTS in their last 5 matches and more than 2.5 goals in 12 of their last 16 matches in all competitions.

Romania U21 Form & Team News

Romania started a good start in the UEFA U21 European Championship with a 4-1 win against Croatia. George Puscas's early penalty and attack Ianis Hagi gave Little Tricolors a 2-1 lead in the first half, Tudor Baluta and substitute Adrian Petre to make the result doubtful after the break.

Mirel Radoi's side should not be underestimated by high-ranking captain Ionut Radu in front of goal. Striker George Puscas recently scored twice for Romania's senior team against Malta in the 2020 European Championship qualifier, playmaker Ianis Hagi also appeared for the senior team.

Romania U21 have demonstrated their ability in attack with 12 goals in their last four matches. They don't imagine England U21 and can be supported at 7.00 to win and 4.35 to get a draw.

I think the value is on the market more than 2.5 goals with Romania U21 watching more than 2.5 goals in five of their six matches against England U21. Romania U21 have seen more than 3.5 goals in three of their last four matches in all competitions which show matches with high scores can occur here.

A Look At England Opportunities for U21 Betting

An own goal when Aaron Wan-Bissaka ensured England ended with nothing to show for their efforts after important clashes with France in this venue.

The 89th-minute leveler Jonathan Ikone has canceled out Phil Foden's incredible solo attack on Cesena, where Les Bleuets missed two penalties and Young Lions sent Hamza Choudhury out.

Aidy Boothroyd reflects: "We could easily lead 3-0 in the first round. I think we are a better team in the first round.

"But if you don't take risks and stop your opponent, you put yourself in a vulnerable position."

He added: "We were all very disappointed but we had no time to sulk. We have other games to come and if we will leave the group, we need to get maximum points. "

There is a lot of evidence to suggest that this will be an entertaining meeting and 17/5 for both teams to score in the first half drew attention from the U21 chances of England vs Romania U21.
View of Romania Opportunities for U21 Betting

Romania entered the tournament supported by an impressive qualifying campaign, which saw them take four points each from Portugal, Wales and Switzerland, and beat Bosnia and Herzegovina twice.

Palermo striker George Puscas was the top scorer with seven goals and was netted from the penalty spot to get the ball rolling against Croatia.

Ianis Hagi, Gheorghe's great son, won the second and he has been nominated twice for the European Golden Boy award.

Despite lack of experience in other squad fields, Romania is visually very good when destroying Croatia, producing many sharp passes and movements around the area.
They will also take heart from the 2-1 defeat to England at Molineux 15 months ago and can be a very dangerous opponent if their confidence persists.

We think 29/20 for the underdogs to avoid defeat is tempting enough to appear on England vs Romania U21 betting tips.

England U21 vs Romania U21 Head to Head

England U21 had a 4-1 advantage against Romania U21 in a draw. The last meeting was an international friendly in 2018, England won 2-1 at Molineux Stadium with Demarai Gray and Jake Clarke-Salter scoring.

England U21 vs Romania U21 Match

England U21 have a much better squad on paper but their defense remains a concern. Defensive midfielder Hamza Choudhury was suspended who could expose them further.

Romania U21 have shown that they can score many goals with George Puscas and Ianis Hagi leading. I hope they continue to play attacking football.

England U21 vs Romania U21 Main Statistics

England U21 have seen BTTS in their last 5 matches in all competitions.
England U21 have seen more than 2.5 goals in 12 of their last 16 matches (all competitions).
Romania U21 have seen more than 2.5 goals in 5 of their 6 matches against England U21 (all competitions).
Romania U21 have scored 3+ goals in 3 of their last 4 matches in all competitions.
Romania U21 have seen more than 3.5 goals in 3 of their last 4 matches in all competitions.

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