Croatia U21 vs Romania U21 prediction: EUROPE: Euro U21 betting tips on match 2023-06-26 18:45.
As the UEFA European Under-21 Championship group stage nears its conclusion, there’s nothing more than pride on the line for Croatia and co-hosts Romania, both of whom have already seen their chances of progression go up in smoke. A pair of losses without scoring a single goal has left them both in this predicament, leaving just their second-ever H2H clash as a play-off to avoid last place in Group B.
Dragan Skočić will be particularly disappointed at his side’s performance given their four-match unbeaten streak heading into the tournament (W2, D2), and he’ll have been furious that his side conceded inside the opening 20 seconds en route to defeat to Spain. That condemned Croatia to their second elimination at this stage in three Euros, while they’ll now be desperate to break their scoring duck after failing to find the net from all 29 shots they’ve fired in so far!
Romania can empathise with those issues having completed five consecutive international matches without a goal themselves. The Tricolorii Mici are now winless in each of their last nine internationals (D3, L6), and will therefore be desperate to give their home crowd something to cheer about as they prepare to exit at the group stage for a second successive U21 Euros.
Facing Croatia will bring back memories of their heroic run to the semi-finals in 2019, a journey that included a thumping 4-1 group stage win over the Young Blazers. Head coach Emil Săndoi may look to lean on the nostalgia of that success to lift the mood after his side’s elimination was confirmed by a heart-wrenching 89th minute own goal from defender Victor Dican against Ukraine.
Key battle: Croatia will be looking to Dion Beljo to solve their scoring woes as he was the last man to find the net for them, striking the decisive penalty in a 2-1 victory over England. Romania goalkeeper Stefan Tarnovanu will be standing in his way after starring in defeat to Ukraine, making an impressive six saves in a losing cause.
Hot stat: A third defeat without scoring here would mark Croatia’s longest such streak since 2011!