Spain U21 vs England U21 Predictions

• Spain topped Group A and will be fresher for the match after resting players last time out
• England’s performances have been getting gradually worse in the tournament
• Mateo Joseph has scored eight goals in 12 Under-21 appearances for Spain

La Rojita ready for England revenge bid

Spain face England in the quarter-final of the European Under-21 Championship in Trnava on Saturday and La Rojita will be out for revenge.

The clash is a repeat of the 2023 final, in which a Curtis Jones goal in first-half stoppage time enabled England to lift the trophy for the first time in 39 years. Spain fluffed a late chance to level when James Trafford saved a penalty in the ninth minute of added time.

Many of Santi Denia’s players won the Gold Medal at last summer’s Olympics and they have played like champions-in-waiting in Slovakia too. They opened with back-to-back wins over Slovakia and Romania, which allowed the coach to rest players for the final game – a 1-1 draw with Italy.

Carsley’s charges look too preditctable

England have been flat and predictable since winning their opening match against the Czechs. They were held to a 0-0 by Slovenia and lost the group finale to Germany, who picked them off.

Spain will be fresher and should have too many ideas for Lee Carsley’s side, many of whom appear jaded. England are also missing the sort of spark Liam Delap could have provided up front.

Back the Spanish to secure a place in the semi-finals inside the 90 minutes with Mateo Joseph, who has scored eight goals in La Rojita’s last 13 matches, a candidate to get on the scoresheet.