Holders England are aiming to defend their U21 UEFA European Championship crown and kick off their campaign against Czech Republic in Slovakia on Thursday night. The Young Lions have won the competition three times, while the Czechs also boast a sole victory in 2002.
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Czech Republic U21 vs England U21 prediction: Holders to have perfect start?
Key stats
- Czech Republic are winless in three games over all competitions.
- England have only won once in four matches across all competitions.
- England have won the last four H2Hs.
Correct score prediction: Czech Republic U21 1-2 England U21
Both teams are not in the best of form heading into this one, but England's superior H2H record in recent meetings should give them the edge. Czech Republic (eight) and England (15) have also scored plenty of goals over their previous five matches in all competitions, so we should also expect both teams to find the back of the net.
Pre-game odds and win probability: England big favourites
- HOME: 17/4 (5.25) – 19.0%
- DRAW: 10/3 (4.33) – 23.1%
- AWAY: 11/20 (1.55) – 64.5%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Perhaps expectedly, holders England have been installed as heavy favourites to kick off the defence of their crown with all three points. A draw is the next fancied result, just ahead of an unlikely Czech Republic victory.
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Most recent H2Hs: England on winning streak
As previously mentioned, England have won the previous four H2Hs. Their last victory incidentally came in the 2023 European Championships, where they emerged as 2-0 victors.
European U21 Championship 22/06/23
Czechia U21
England U21
European U21 Championship Qual 03/06/22
Czechia U21
England U21
European U21 Championship Qual 11/11/21
England U21
Czechia U21
U21 International 27/03/15
Czechia U21
England U21
Czech Republic U21 preview: Fila the only absentee
Daniel Fila is set to miss the game with injury, otherwise the Czechs have a fully fit squad to choose from.
Predicted lineup: Hornicek (GK), Chaloupek, Prebsl, Spacil, Suchomel, Harustak, Langhamer, Vydra, Karabec, Jurasek & Sejk
U21 International 24/03/25
L
Norway U21
2
Czechia U21
0
U21 International 21/03/25
D
Spain U21
2
Czechia U21
2
European U21 Championship Qual 19/11/24
D
Belgium U21
1
Czechia U21
1
European U21 Championship Qual 15/11/24
W
Belgium U21
0
Czechia U21
2
European U21 Championship Qual 15/10/24
W
Lithuania U21
0
Czechia U21
3
England U21 preview: No fresh concerns
England have reported no fresh concerns in terms of their squad, and so will have a plethora of options to choose from as they aim to kick off their title defence with the best possible start.
Predicted lineup: Beadle (GK), Quansah, Cresswell, Doyle, Iling Junior, Gittens, Gray, Anderson, Rogers, Scott & McAtee
U21 International 24/03/25
W
Portugal U21
2
England U21
4
U21 International 21/03/25
L
France U21
5
England U21
3
U21 International 18/11/24
D
Netherlands U21
1
England U21
1
U21 International 15/11/24
D
Spain U21
0
England U21
0
European U21 Championship Qual 15/10/24
W
Azerbaijan U21
0
England U21
7
Player to watch: James McAtee
James McAtee is certainly one of the first names on the team sheet for England U21. Indeed, he has scored a total of four goals in his last six appearances over all competitions for the Young Lions.
McAtee is a product of the recently successful academy at Manchester City, and made a number of appearances in the first team for them under Spanish head coach Pep Guardiola in the 2024/25 campaign. He is a very talented player, and England will look to him to unlock defences in Slovakia.