Italy U21 vs Spain U21 Predictions

Italy kick off their campaign at the Under 21 European Championships on Sunday night aiming for a huge victory over Spain. However, the Spanish come here out to continue their excellent recent run in this competition, which has produced a steady line of talent directly into the senior side. Spain have made four of the last five finals, including 2017’s loss to Germany, but can they record another successful summer in Italy this year?

The Italians are hoping to claw their way back to the top of the world game, while they’re putting their faith in youth to get them there. Roberto Mancini is overhauling the side, with a focus on up and coming talent. Having just seen their under 19 side make the European Championship final and their Under 20 side finishing as semi-finalists at the World Cup, there’s reason to be hopeful for Italy. Can their bright future continue with success on home soil?

Spain have a brilliant squad lined up for the under 21 Euros as usual. The fact that West Ham have just spent a reported £24 million on one of their players shows the standard of the Spanish squad, especially when he’s not even the best player in the squad. The Spanish have included Fabian Ruiz, who has forced his way into the Napoli side, talented Real Sociedad man Mikel Oyarzabal and the 2017 player of the tournament Dani Ceballos.

Real Madrid signed Ceballos after that star turn, while he is out to turn heads once again this summer. The midfielder could be on the move, while he’ll be out to prove his worth to the team in his final days with the under 21’s. We certainly see Ceballos performing well at the tournament. The midfielder was our pick for player of the tournament, while we have based our outright winner prediction around him and the strength of the Spanish midfield.

Spain come into this tournament in fine form, with five wins in six matches behind them. Since the final of the 2017 Euros, the Spanish have won all but two of their games. They seem a cut above at this level once again, while the Spanish have won their last eight group stage games at this tournament. Meanwhile, Italy are out of sorts right now with a four-game winless streak behind them. The hosts have won only once in nine in the build-up to this tournament, so we see Spain as great value to edge this clash.