England U21 v Switzerland U21 predictions: Young Lions can make a winning start

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for England U21s v Switzerland U21s in the Under-21 European Championship on Thursday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Football, 2pm Thursday

Best bet

England to win & under 3.5 goals
1pt 6-4 BoyleSports

Match preview

England are among the leading contenders to win the 2021 Under-21 European Championship and can begin their Group D campaign with a low-scoring success over Switzerland in Koper, Slovenia.

The finals, hosted jointly by Slovenia and Hungary, have been split into two sections with the group stage squeezed into the current international break and the knockout phase taking place from May 31 to June 6.

Aidy Boothroyd's side need to secure a top-two finish to earn a place in the second stage and they will have to perform well in a competitive section which also features Portugal and Croatia.

However, England look a talented bunch with senior international Callum Hudson-Odoi included in their squad.

Boothroyd can also call on Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah, who scored 13 goals in qualifying, and his club teammate Emile Smith Rowe, who has been one of Arsenal's best players in recent months.

Switzerland's squad, which includes 15 domestic-based players, features fewer star names and their top striker, Andi Zeqiri, is yet to nail down a regular Premier League starting berth for Brighton.

However, the Swiss conceded just eight goals in ten qualifiers and should put up stiff resistance against the Young Lions, who may have to settle for a narrow, hard-fought success.

Key stat

Four of Switzerland's last five matches have featured fewer than four goals.

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