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[monks data]
England national football team
European Under-21s Championship Qualifying | Group Stage
Jun 13, 2022 at 7.45pm UK
 

1-2

Archer (91')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Spence (1' og.), Zabukovnik (64')

Preview: England Under-21s vs. Slovenia Under-21s - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Monday's European Under-21 Championship Qualifying clash between England Under-21s and Slovenia Under-21s, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

England Under-21s head into their final Under-21 European Championship qualifier with Slovenia Under-21s looking to conclude Group G with an unbeaten record.

The Young Lions already hold a six-point lead at the top, while Slovenia are keen to earn the point which will realistically earn third position ahead of Kosovo.


Match preview

England Under-21's Folarin Balogun celebrates scoring their first goal with a teammate on March 25, 2022© Reuters

When England were performing far below their potential during the opening three fixtures of his reign, Lee Carsley may have had concerns regarding the progression of this group.

However, there is an argument that a slow start acted as the catalyst for their superb form since then, a total of 25 goals being scored in their nine fixtures.

Five of those were scored by a much-changed team in Kosovo on Friday, Cameron Archer netting a double to showcase himself as strong competition to Folarin Balogun.

Carsley will simply be satisfied that he has competition in the midfield and attacking areas, Keane Lewis-Potter also continuing to suggest that he is a Premier League player in waiting.

Despite qualification having already being achieved, Carsley will demand that his players put on a show in Huddersfield, capping a sublime qualification campaign in the process.

Qualifying could have gone in a different direction had England not held on during the second half of their 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture with Slovenia.

Despite being two goals to the good within 15 minutes, Slovenia's comeback in the second half may have led to more than just a point on another day.

Head coach Milenko Acimovic may be disappointed that they did not push Czech Republic harder for second spot, but they should be encouraged after a five-match unbeaten streak.

However, Slovenia's only away goal in the group came in the 1-0 win against Andorra, highlighting that they face an uphill task in Yorkshire.

England Under-21s European Under-21 Championship Qualifying form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Slovenia Under-21s European Under-21 Championship Qualifying form:
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • D
  • W


Team News

Manchester City's James McAtee reacts, November 12, 2021© Reuters

Carsley will again ring the changes to his England XI, potentially bringing goalkeeper Carl Rushworth in for his debut between the sticks.

Manchester City prospect James McAtee stands to make his first Under-21s start, while James Hill will hope to remain in the centre of defence after his successful debut on Friday.

Angel Gomes could replace Lewis-Potter, who played 90 minutes in Kosovo, while Ben Johnson, Curtis Jones and Morgan Gibbs-White should feature having remained as unused substitutes.

With third place still to play for, Slovenia should line up with their strongest possible team, but one change may be made from the last fixture.

Tjas Begic came off the substitutes' bench to get on the scoresheet, and the left winger could be introduced as a replacement for Aljosa Matko.

England Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Rushworth; Johnson, Hill, Harwood-Bellis, Thomas; Doyle, Jones; Gibbs-White, McAtee, Gomes; Archer

Slovenia Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Turk; Ilenic, Zec, Stojinovic, Kurtovic; Zabukovnik, Jevsenak, Vesner Ticic; Zugelj, Prelec, Matko


SM words green background

We say: England Under-21s 2-0 Slovenia Under-21s

Even though Slovenia showed at the start of the group that they are capable of matching Carsley's team, we cannot see that being the case here. The Young Lions have really found their stride, and we are backing yet another comfortable win on Monday evening.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Game History

How you voted: England U21s vs Slovenia U21s

England Under-21s
87.5%
Draw
12.5%
Slovenia Under-21s
0.0%
32
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