France U21 vs Ukraine U21 prediction: EUROPE: Euro U21 – Play Offs betting tips on match 2023-07-01 19:00.
France moved into the knockout phase having maintained their all-time unbeaten record in the group stage of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, topping Group D this year with three wins from three. Manager Sylvain Ripoll revealed that he was happy to remain in their āsecond homeā of Cluj – the venue for their opening three matches – ahead of the quarter-final against Ukraine, citing the lack of travel as a factor that could nullify the extra dayās rest that their upcoming opponents will enjoy following their stalemate with Spain.
Despite a reputation for producing some great young talent over the years, France have only ever won the U21 Euros once back in 1988. Their only other appearance in the final was in 2002 when they lost to the Czech Republic, a defeat which kickstarted a run of four straight knockout defeats in this tournament. Addressing that record may be tricky as the Little Blues have won just three of their nine U21 matches against Ukraine (D5, L1), hinting at the prospect of a tight affair in Romania.
Ukraine failed to hold on to their lead twice in a 2-2 draw with Spain, missing the chance to top Group B despite extending their five-game international unbeaten run (W3, D2). Those are the only goals they have conceded in this tournament so far after manager Ruslan Rotan made wholesale changes to the side having already secured qualification. Assuring supporters that his team will ālook ahead with confidenceā after the Spain encounter, Rotan could be dreaming of matching or bettering the Young Menās best U21 Euros finish of runners-up in 2006.
That might not be out of their reach as Ukraine have lost just one of their last 12 U21 Euro matches (W8, D3). Three of the last four actually saw them keep a clean sheet, but replicating the same could be a tall order as the Ukrainians have conceded eight goals across their last two meetings with France (D1, L1).
Players to watch: Amine Gouiri opened Franceās account in their win over Switzerland, maintaining his unbeaten record in U21 games in which heās scored (W9, D2). Looking to upstage him will be Danylo Sikan, who was Ukraineās top scorer when they won the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 2019. He also has three goals in his last five matches for club and country.
Hot stat: Five of Franceās last six matches including all three at this tournament have been level at the break.