📢 What can we expect from the clash between Finland U21 and Netherlands U21 in the opening round of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship? The Finns display fighting spirit, but their current form has been inconsistent, raising questions about their stability. Meanwhile, the Netherlands are in excellent shape, having won their last ten official matches in a row. Their attacking prowess is impressive, averaging more than three goals per game. Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses, making this upcoming encounter an intriguing event for football fans.
Head-to-Head
📊The sides have played three official matches. The statistics are as follows:
- goals: 2 against 5;
- average total in the 1st half – 0.67, in the 2nd half – 0.33;
- average total goals in the match – 1.67.
Finland U21 Team Overview
The team's last official match took place on as part of the Int. Friendly Games tournament (home team – Finland U21, away team – Slovenia U21). The match concluded with a scoreline of 1:0.
Here are the game statistics (Finland U21 vs Slovenia U21):
- ball possession: 58% vs 42%;
- corner kicks: 1 vs 5;
- yellow cards: 1 vs 0;
- shots on target: 4 vs 2.
⚪ Finland U21 are showing resilience on the field. The team is known for their team spirit and determination to fight until the final whistle of every match. While they score consistently—averaging nearly two goals per game—their defense remains a concern, conceding over one goal per match on average. Recent official matches have yielded mixed results: three wins, two draws, and two losses.
✅ The Finland U21 squad features a diverse lineup with players competing across Europe—from England and France to Cyprus and Croatia. Although there are no standout names in the roster, much will depend on goalkeeper Lucas Bergström, who is part of Chelsea—one of the world's strongest football academies.
Netherlands U21 Team Overview
The away team played their last official match on as part of the Int. Friendly Games tournament (home team – Netherlands U21, away – Cote d'Ivoire U23). The match ended with a score of 3:0.
Here are the game statistics (Netherlands U21 vs Cote d'Ivoire U23):
- ball possession: 51% vs 49%;
- corner kicks: 2 vs 5;
- yellow cards: 1 vs 2;
- shots on target: 6 vs 5.
🟠 The Netherlands U21 are playing with great confidence: a streak of ten wins without a single loss in official matches speaks volumes. The "Oranje" showcase an impressive attacking game, averaging more than three goals per match while conceding just 0.3 goals per game. They also have a positive track record against the Finns, having defeated them 2-0 back in March 2017. With their dynamic play and relentless pressure on opponents, they are the favorites for the upcoming clash.
✅ The Netherlands U21 squad boasts a formidable lineup with several intriguing players, particularly in defense, which stands out as the team's main strength. Notable mentions include Ian Maatsen from Aston Villa and Devyne Rensch, who made a significant impact on the flank for Roma this spring. Their experience and level of play make the Dutch defense one of the strongest in the tournament.
Prediction on the outcome
H2H:
- number of encounters – 3;
- home team wins – 0, away team wins – 3, draws – 0.
- Finland U21 won with a +2.5 handicap in last 29 games.
Prediction on the over/under
H2H
- the home team scores on average - 0.67, the guests - 1.67;
- average over/under goals in head-to-head matches - 1.67;
- both teams scored: overall - 0; at the home team's field - 0.
- Netherlands U21 have scored over 1.5 goals in last 5 away games.
Prediction on BTTS
H2H:
- number of encounters – 3;
- both teams scored all-time - 0 times;
- on the home team’s field - 0 times.
Editorial Prediction
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