📢 Can Italy's U21 team live up to their favorite status in the second round against the tournament hosts? Both teams have been in decent form recently, adding intrigue to this clash. Slovakia's youth squad aims to bounce back from a narrow 3-2 defeat to Spain, while the Italians continue their quest for group supremacy. Italy's squad is known for their solid defense and potent attack, whereas the Slovak players are recognized for their attacking style. The match promises to be filled with scoring opportunities and unexpected twists.

Head-to-Head

📊The sides have played three official matches. The statistics are as follows:

• goals: 5 against 4;
• average total in the 1st half – 0.33, in the 2nd half – 0.67;
• average total goals in the match – 2.33.

Slovakia U21 Team Overview

The team's last official match took place on as part of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, with Slovakia U21 as the nominal home side and Spain U21 as the visitors. The match concluded with a 2-3 scoreline.

Here's the game statistics (Slovakia U21 vs Spain U21):

• possession percentage: 38% vs 62%;
• corner kicks: 1 vs 8;
• fouls: 15 vs 12;
• yellow cards: 3 vs 1;
• shots on target: 6 vs 8.

⚪ Slovakia's U21 team delivers mixed results on home turf, yet their average goal-scoring rate is noteworthy. They net around two goals per match but also concede a fair amount, averaging about 1.7 goals against per game. The squad is in search of consistency following a series of fluctuating performances, with five wins and five losses in their last ten official outings. 

✅ Despite being underdogs, Slovakia's U21s put up a commendable fight in their opening match against Spain. They managed to claw back from a two-goal deficit early in the second half, only to concede victory in the 90th minute (2-3). The standout performer for the Slovaks was Verona's midfielder Tomas Suslov, who played confidently in midfield and converted a penalty. It's no surprise, as Suslov is regarded as the star of this squad.

Italy U21 Team Overview

The last official match for the current visitors took place on during the UEFA European Under-21 Championship (nominal hosts – Italy U21, nominal visitors – Romania U21). The match ended with a score of 1-0.

Here are the match statistics (Italy U21 vs Romania U21):

• possession percentage: 60% vs 40%;
• corners: 4 vs 6;
• fouls: 19 vs 13;
• yellow cards: 1 vs 2;
• shots on target: 4 vs 3.

🔵 Italy's Under-21 squad are in impressive form, boasting seven wins and three draws in their last ten official matches as they chase the title. Their defense is considered among the best, conceding just 0.4 goals per game, which speaks volumes. Meanwhile, their attack doesn't falter either, averaging nearly three goals per match, making Italy a formidable opponent for any team.

✅ Many anticipated a confident start from Italy's Under-21 team at the European Championship, but they had to work hard to edge past Romania with a narrow 1-0 victory. The crucial three points for the Azzurrini were secured by two standout players: Palermo's substitute goalkeeper Sebastiano Desplanches, who saved three shots including a penalty, and Roma's midfielder Tommaso Baldanzi, who scored the match's only goal.

Prediction on the outcome

H2H:

• number of encounters – 3;
• home team wins – 1, away team wins – 1, draws – 1.

Statistics: Slovakia U21 vs Italy U21

• matches played in the tournament: 1 vs 1;
• wins: 0 vs 1;
• win percentage: 0% vs 100%;
• losses: 1 vs 0;
• draws: 0 vs 0.

Last 10 matches:

• wins: 5 vs 7;
• losses: 5 vs 0;
• draws: 0 vs 3.

• Slovakia U21 won with a +1.5 handicap in 15 of last 16 games.
• Slovakia U21 won with a +1.5 handicap in last 10 home games.

Prediction on the over/under

H2H

• the home team scores on average - 1.67, the guests - 1.33;
• average over/under goals in head-to-head matches - 2.33;
• both teams scored: overall - 0; at the home team's field - 0.

• Over 2.5 goals scored in last 11 Slovakia U21 home games.
• Over 2.5 goals scored in last 6 Slovakia U21 games.

Prediction on corners

Slovakia U21: Statistics

• season: average Over/Under in the tournament - 1; at home field - 1;
• last 10 matches: average Over/Under - 4.5; at home field - 3.2.

Italy U21: Statistics

• season: average Over/Under in the tournament - 4, away - 0;
• last 10 matches: average Over/Under - 5.5; away - 3.25.

• Under 10.5 corners in 8 of last 9 Italy U21 away games.

Prediction on cards

Slovakia U21: Statistics

• season: average Over/Under in the tournament - 3; at home - 3;
• last 10 matches: average Over/Under - 3.1; at home - 2.4.

Italy U21: Statistics

• season: average Over/Under in the tournament - 1, away - 0;
• last 10 matches: average Over/Under - 0.1; away - 0.

Prediction on BTTS

H2H:

• number of encounters – 3;
• both teams scored all-time - 0 times;
• on the home team’s field - 0 times.

Statistics: Slovakia U21 vs Italy U21

• number of matches played in the tournament: 1 vs 1;
• number of matches in the season where both teams scored (BTTS): 1 vs 0;
• number of BTTS matches for Slovakia U21 at home – 1 (100%);
• number of BTTS matches for Italy U21 away – 0 (0%).

Last 10 matches:

• number of BTTS matches: 6 vs 3;
• BTTS matches for Slovakia U21 at home – 4 (80%);
• BTTS matches for Italy U21 away – 1 (25%).