Czech Republic U21s vs England U21s - European Under-21 Championship: TV channel, team news, lineups & prediction
By Tom Gott
England will get their European Under-21 Championship campaign underway on Thursday when they face the Czech Republic.
Lee Carsley's Young Lions are among the favourites to win the whole tournament but have a tricky start to Group C against a Czech Republic side who pushed England all the way in qualifying last year.
England topped their qualifying group but finished just three points clear of Thursday's opponents, who picked up 22 points from ten games and fought their way through the play-offs to book a spot in this tournament.
Here's all you need to know about this one.
Where are Czech Republic U21s vs England U21s playing?
- Location: Batumi, Georgia
- Stadium: Adjarabet Arena
- Date: Thursday 22 June
- Kick-off Time: 17:00 BST / 12:00 ET / 09:00 PT
- Referee: Mircea Feşnic (ROU)
Czech Republic U21s vs England U21s H2H Results (Last Five Games)
- Czech Republic U21s: 1 win
- England U21s: 4 wins
- Draws: 0
- Last meeting: Czech Republic U21s 1-2 England U21s (Euro 2023 qualifier) - 3 June 2022
Current Form (Last Five Games)
- Czech Republic U21s: DLLDD
- England U21s: WWWLL
How to watch Czech Republic U21s vs England U21s on TV and live stream
Country | TV Channel/Live Stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | UEFA TV |
United States | UEFA TV |
Canada | UEFA TV |
Czech Republic U21s team news
There should be plenty of fresh legs in the Czech camp as none of the squad boast a senior international cap, meaning they should be well-rested heading into this tournament.
English fans may recognise goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros, who is on the books at Liverpool and spent last season on loan with Stockport County in League Two.
Czech Republic U21s predicted lineup vs England U21s
(4-3-3): Jaros; Gabriel, Vitik, Pojezny, Fukala; Zamburek, Cerv, Karabec; Jurasek, Sejk, Valenta.
England U21s team news
Levi Colwill spent the past week with Gareth Southgate's senior side but should waltz into the starting lineup here.
The only senior international in Carsley's squad is Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe, who will be keen to make a statement this summer after a tricky domestic campaign.
England U21s predicted lineup vs Czech Republic U21s
(4-2-3-1): Trafford; Aarons, Harwood-Bellis, Colwill, Thomas; Ramsey, Skipp; Madueke, Gibbs-White, Smith Rowe; Archer.
Czech Republic U21s vs England U21s score prediction
While both teams aren't exactly in dazzling form, England will be feeling confident here. They saw off the Czech Republic in qualifying and there's no reason for their squad, which is full of some big-money players, to not repeat that here.
The Czechs are no pushovers, but Carsley has more than enough firepower to drive England deep into this tournament and so games like this should be fairly comfortable for the Young Lions.
Expect a fun, comfortable victory to kick things off.