European Under-21 Championship semi-finals betting previews, tips & TV details

Sky Sports Football from 5pm Thursday

Spain v France

8pm

France are through to the last four despite scoring just three goals, the second-lowest total of the 12 teams, but their safety-first football may not get the job done against Spain at the Mapei Stadium.

Punters have been piling into Spain, who are a shade of odds-against to win in normal time but there is still value in siding with the Iberians.

Spain's challenge looked to have stumbled at the first hurdle when they lost 3-1 to hosts Italy in opening first Group A match.

But Luis de la Fuente's team stayed alive with a 2-1 victory over Belgium and they were given a lifeline when Italy surprisingly lost 1-0 to Poland.

It went down to the final round of matches and Spain seized their chance in emphatic fashion by winning 5-0 against the Poles, who had been top of the table with two wins from two.

Spain seem to be getting stronger but France have failed to impress in any of their matches.

Two of France's three goals were scored against an England team reduced to ten men by Hamza Choudhury's dismissal.

They have lacked fluency throughout the competition and are likely to be exposed by Spain, who are the best team they have faced.

Recommendation
Spain
1pt 23-20 Betfred, Betway

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Germany v Romania

5pm

Germany are the top scorers at the European Under-21 Championship finals and their attacking prowess could be the decisive factor in their semi-final clash with Romania in Bologna.

Freiburg striker Luca Waldschmidt and Augsburg forward Marco Richter have contributed five and three goals respectively for the Germans, who have looked in control since opening with a 3-1 victory over Denmark.

Stefan Kuntz's side did just enough in their final group match against Austria, drawing 1-1, and they will probably play in a more positive fashion with a place in the final up for grabs.

Romania deserve respect after defying modest pre-tournament expectations to finish top of Group C ahead of well-fancied France and England.

Attacking midfielder Ianis Hagi, son of the famous Gheorge, has netted twice and striker Florinel Coman produced two excellent finishes in their 4-2 success over England.

Romania have showed a clinical touch in front of goal and look capable of troubling Germany, who have not kept a clean sheet in the tournament.

However, Germany usually find a way of outscoring the opposition their defence of the trophy is set to continue.

Recommendation
Germany win & both teams to score
1pt 21-10 bet365, Betway, BoyleSports

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

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