Lion cubs to roar in Poland
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Feel-good factor back in English football
England U21s get their Euro 2017 challenge up and running with a match against Sweden, a side they’ve never lost to at this level of football before. Domestic fans will be hoping they can enhance that record.
There’s a real feel-good factor in English football at the moment. The senior side may have struggled against Scotland and France recently, but following the World Cup success of the U20s, who beat Venezuela 1-0 last week for the country’s most notable win since 1966, there’s hope for the future.
England must live up to the hype
Aidy Boothroyd’s squad is littered with talent, both established names at club level and hot prospects for the future. Jordan Pickford is an example of the quality on show here, with the shot-stopper recently signing for Everton in a £30m deal that made him England’s most expensive keeper ever. Nathan Redmond is another expected to light up the competition in Poland, and having gained experience for the senior squad, he’ll be eager to kick on.
Fans will be all too aware of previous disappointments suffered in this format however, and England go in on a miserable run of form. The last three tournaments in particular have been a body blow for fans who allowed their hopes to be raised. This is not the first England U21 side to travel with promise, but they must live up to the hype and get results.
Fans remain unconvinced
Coral traders are happy sitting on the fence until they have a good look at how the team is going to perform at the Kielce City Stadion, pricing a Three Lions win at 5/6, against Sweden’s 7/2. Punters who also remain unconvinced can try their luck on the draw at an attractive 5/2. Not terribly patriotic, perhaps, but a nice price all the same.
The favourites will be looking towards Tammy Abraham to get the goals needed to fire them to success, and the gifted 19-year-old striker is head of the betting in the first scorer market, currently doing the rounds at 7/2, while a goal anytime during the match is 7/5.
Redmond to prove his worth
Prefer the experience of Nathan Redmond? He’ll be targeting a big tournament to prove, having turned out against Germany, he’s now beyond this level. Coral’s football guys offer a special bet that’s sure to grab the attention of value hunters – 14/1 on Redmond to score two or more goals, enhanced from 10/1.
These sides met in this competition back in 2015, with England claiming a narrow 1-0 win thanks to a late strike from Jesse Lingard. A repeat of that score is yours at 11/2, while followers with a bit more confidence can have England to win to nil at 2/1.
