Progression into the semi-finals of the European Under-21 Championship remains up for grabs for both the England Under-21s and Italy Under-21s in this week's final round of group fixtures.

The Young Lions need a result against the Azzurrini to book a place in the final four from Group B, while anything less than a victory for Italy will send them home from the Czech Republic.

England Under-21

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Hopes were high in the England camp heading into the tournament this summer, but Gareth Southgate and his team were in danger of being sent packing after just their second group clash last week.

The Young Lions arrived at the tournament on the back of four consecutive victories, but they were dealt a blow in their opening Group B match when Joao Mario struck in the 57th minute to secure a 1-0 triumph for Portugal.

Immediately, Southgate's men were put on the backfoot and after 84 minutes without a goal in their second clash against Sweden on Sunday, there were fears that England would be exiting another tournament early.

However, Manchester United's Jesse Lingard, who came on as a second-half substitute, found the back of the net with five minutes of normal time remaining to give the England youngsters three crucial points.

England and third-placed Sweden share the same points, while Portugal top the group with a one-point lead and Italy reside bottom, but all teams are capable of reaching the final four, meaning that Southgate's side will have to improve on the goal front if they are to progress.

Just one goal has been scored by England in their two group fixtures, despite the inclusion of Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, who teamed up with the Under-21s after striking 31 times for his club in all competitions in the 2014-15 campaign.

While United's Lingard netted late into the second half during Sunday's encounter against Sweden, right-back Carl Jenkinson was the side's main attacking threat, which will need to be addressed ahead of this Wednesday's crucial showdown.

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Italy Under-21

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It's been a disappointing campaign so far for the 2013 runners-up as the young Italians have just one point on the board after two group fixtures in the Czech Republic.

Luigi Di Biagio's side were stunned in a 2-1 defeat to Sweden in their tournament opener after taking the lead through Domenico Berardi's penalty kick half an hour into the game.

Their lead was dashed when John Guidetti scored an equaliser in the 56th minute before Isaac Kiese Thelin netted from the spot-kick with four minutes to go to give Sweden all three points.

During the dramatic encounter, Stefano Sturaro was handed a straight red card and automatic three-match ban, but his teammates coped without him to put on a spirited performance in Sunday's goalless draw with group leaders Portugal.

Despite residing at the bottom of the pile, Italy still have a chance of making the semi-finals, but they will only do so if they can snatch all three points from England when the two sides face off on Wednesday.

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Team News

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There were worrying signs for England when Alex Pritchard was seen hobbling on crutches after he injured his ankle during Sunday's victory over Sweden.

Southgate suggested after the match that the 22-year-old will be absent from the team for this week's deciding game, meaning that goalscorer Lingard could come into the fray as a starter.

The United attacker replaced Pritchard in the second half of the match and after providing England's only goal of the tournament so far, the 22-year-old is likely to named in the first XI.

Danny Ings has so far had to settle for a place among the substitutes' bench, but a positive performance against the Swedes may have boosted his chances of starting alongside Kane, with Tom Carroll likely to make way.

Meanwhile, Di Biagio showed that he has no qualms making wholesale changes as he made five alterations to his team for their draw with Portugal.

Captain Matteo Bianchetti was one of the five to be dropped to the bench and considering Italy's improved performance, the defender might remain there, with Alessio Romagnoli keeping his place in the back four.

Sturaro will serve the second of his three-match ban, meaning that Cristiano Biraghi could stay as part of the defence in Di Biagio's 4-3-3 formation.

England Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Butland; Jenkinson, Moore, Gibson, Garbutt; Redmond, Hughes, Chalobah, Lingard; Ings, Kane

Italy Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Bardi; Biraghi, Rugani, Romagnoli, Zappacosta; Crisetig, Benassi, Battochio; Cataldi, Belotti, Berardi

Head To Head

England and Italy are no strangers to one another having having met four times in the tournament already since 2000.

In the competition two years ago, Lorenzo Insigne scored the single goal of the opening Group B match to defeat England and Devis Mangia's side went on to progress to the final, which they lost, while Stuart Pearce's Young Lions went home finishing bottom of the group.

Overall, the two nations have gone head to head competitively 12 times, with Italy just on top with five wins, compared to England's four, while on three occasions nothing could separate them.

In terms of scoring statistics, Italy have edged ahead of England again with 13 goals compared to their opponent's tally of 11.

We say: England U21 1-0 Italy U21

Neither side have been particularly prolific on the goal front, with both nations having scored just one goal apiece so far, but the reason why we see England winning it, is the quality they have up front. Kane may be struggling at the moment to find the back of the net, but it's been proven in the past what he is capable of.

With the possibility of Ings and Lingard coming into the starting XI, the Young Lions may be better at converting their chances, 36 of which they've created in the tournament so far. Italy have had 26 attempts of their own so far in the Czech Republic, but considering that they need all three points to progress into the semi-final stage and have only scored once so far, the task could be too much for them.

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