Spain U21 vs England U21 predictions, betting tips and odds: Young Lions value for a semi-final spot

Where to watch

Spain U21 vs England U21
Channel 4, 8pm Saturday

Poland U21 vs Netherlands U21
Channel 4, 5pm Saturday

Best bets

England
1pt 11-5 Betfair

J McAtee to score at any time
1pt 6-1 Hills

Portugal
1pt 27-20 bet365

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European Under-21 Championship quarter-finals predictions

Spain U21 vs England U21 predictions

The European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia has reached quarter-final weekend and England take on Spain on Saturday night in a repeat of the 2023 final.

Two years ago England won 1-0 to lift the trophy for a third time but in Trnava this weekend it's La Rojita, who have made at least the semis in six of the last seven runnings, who are favourites.

There is always a burgeoning pedigree in the Spanish ranks and Santi Denia's young squad is no different from some of its storied predecessors.

But they have also shown plenty of vulnerability qualifying for the last eight, allowing Slovakia to come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 before finding a last-minute winner, and then needing two late goals to pip Romania 2-1.

They have conceded in all three games and a side with good attacking intent can get at them.

Lee Carsley's Lion Cubs are just that side – only they have struggled to show much zip so far.

They started their campaign nicely enough with a 3-1 win over the Czechs before utterly dominating Slovenia but failing to find the net in a 0-0 draw. They had 21 attempts but only one clear-cut chance.

Then came a 2-1 loss to Germany, a real tale of two halves where half-time introductions off the bench of James McAtee and Jay Stansfield improved them no end. They were by far the better team in the second period.

Carsley has to pick the right team, England's players need to take chances and hope that Spain are not at their very best – which they haven't been, which suddenly makes the young Lions an attractive betting proposition.

Backing McAtee to score at any time is another bet to consider. They are far livelier with him in the side and Spain are coughing up chances.

Portugal vs Netherlands predictions

In the first last-eight tie Group C winners Portugal – the only nation not to concede a goal in the first round - take on Group D runners-up the Netherlands.

Portugal thrashed Poland 5-0 and Georgia 4-0 yet you could argue their best effort was holding a talented France side to a 0-0 draw, and carving out chances to beat them.

They have to be confident of fending off the Dutch, who finally came to life beating Ukraine 2-0 in a game they had to win. But they look brittle at the back and Portugal can take advantage of that.

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