Spain U21 vs Switzerland U21 prediction: EUROPE: Euro U21 – Play Offs betting tips on match 2023-06-30 19:00.
Each of Spainās previous five appearances at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship have seen them get to the semi-finals, and after going unbeaten at the group stage, they are heavily favoured to extend that streak with a quarter-final win over Switzerland. Yet, while they are still among the main contenders to go all the way, La Rojita were reliant on a late matchday-three equaliser from Abel Ruiz against Ukraine to win Group B on goal difference and gain the logistical advantage of staying in Bucharest.
Regardless, the two clean-sheet wins preceding that high-octane 2-2 draw underline why Spain are currently on a 17-game unbeaten run overall (W14, D3). Impressively, this sequence includes ten wins by a margin of multiple goals, and it is that which will surely pose the biggest fear factor for opponents Switzerland, who are still smarting from losing 4-1 to France on Wednesday night.
Their āconsolation strikeā proved to be much more than that though, with Patrick Rahmenās side proceeding to the quarter-finals by virtue of head-to-head goals scored. However, finishing second in the group means that they will face their next challenge on the back of a lengthy journey south from Cluj. The thought of reaching a first Euro U21 semi-final since finishing as runners-up in 2011 should see the Swiss sufficiently psyched up to overcome any tiredness though.
Thereās also revenge on the mind too, as it was none other than Spain who pipped Switzerland to glory in that edition. Itās undeniably the most painful chapter in the Alpine sideās poor history against La Rojita (W1, D1, L4), though they gave a good account of themselves in a 3-2 friendly loss in March this year, providing some hope.
Players to watch: In fact, it was only by means of a late Rodrigo Riquelme double that Spain managed to overturn Switzerlandās 2-1 lead in that particular clash. And having given Switzerland the second lead-giving goal that day, Kastriot Imeri will undoubtedly be thirsting for vengeance more than his team-mates, especially as he seeks to add to his two goals in three appearances at the current finals.
Hot stat: Each of the five prior H2Hs to produce a winner have seen the opening scorer either win to-nil or end up losing!