U21 Euro Championships Final
It’s 1966 revisited tonight as England’s young guns take on old rivals Germany in the final of the under 21 European Championships in Sweden.
The teams met in the group stages and fought out a pretty uninspiring 1-1 draw although England did rest a few players in the match as they had already qualified and Germany pretty much settled for a draw as they knew that would be enough to see them through.
It will be a different game tonight and it looks a close call. England have been hit by suspensions and the will be without three of their top players for this match. Strikers Fraizer Campbell, Gabriel Agbonlahor and goalkeeper Joe Hart all miss the match. It could be the two strikers are missed more than goalkeeper Hart and the likely lack of firepower could be the difference between the two teams.
England are 7/5 (Paddypower) to win the match and although they have shown great team spirit and commitment in their matches so far, they still haven’t really played to their full potential in this tournament and now hindered by suspensions they may find it tough against a highly disciplined and well organised German team.
Germany have only lost one goal in the tournament so far (in their match against England) and although outplayed by Italy in their semi final their defence kept them in the game and they eventually snatched a goal that was enough to se them go through.
We think it will be more of the same from Germany tonight and they will be keeping things extremely tight at the back. The lack of first choice strikers in the England team worries us and although Walcott will be an able deputy as main striker so we’re going with Germany to keep a clean sheet at odds of 11/5 (Ladbrokes).
The under 2.5 goals looks worth backing at 8/15 (Bet365) as both teams could be very cautious in the early stages of the match and the half time result of draw 11/10 (Coral) might be a bet to be on with a 0-0 half time correct score at 7/5 (Bet365) also worth considering.
Germany have only ever beaten England once in eight previous encounters at this level, but we’re convinced they can emulate that result tonight and so we’re going for Germany to win.
.Our prediction for this match is a win for Germany 2/1 (Coral) and we’re having a bet on a 1-0 correct score at 7/1 (Skybet).
Marko Marin 12/1 (Ladbrokes) is our pick to be first goalscorer.
