Preview: Georgia Under-21s vs. Portugal Under-21s - prediction, team news, lineups

Portugal Under-21s and Georgia Under-21s will both be vying to reach the knockout rounds of the European Under-21 Championship when they face off in Tuesday’s clash in Trencin.

Rui Jorge’s side are level on four points with Croatia at the top of the group, while Georgia are one point behind in third position.

Match preview

After reaching the quarter-finals on their tournament debut in 2023, Georgia are hoping to make it back-to-back knockout rounds appearances in 2025, although they have work to do if they are to finish in the top two. 

Georgia began the tournament with a narrow 2-1 win over Poland, courtesy of goals from Nodar Lominadze and Vasilios Gordeziani. 

They looked set to repeat that scoreline in Saturday’s meeting with France when Giorgi Abuashvili and Saba Sazonov found the net to give their side a 2-1 lead.

However, Georgia went on to concede in the 89th minute and the 12th minute of stoppage time, as they fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat, leaving them in third spot and one point adrift of the top two.

As a result, they know they have to take three points from their final group game if they are to progress to the quarter-finals.

Portugal have put themselves in a strong position to reach the knockout rounds of a third consecutive European Under-21 Championship.

They kicked off their 2025 campaign with a goalless draw against France, before they netted four first-half goals to claim a commanding 5-0 victory over Poland.

Geovany Quenda got the hosts up and running with an early brace, before Henrique Araujo, Paulo Bernardo and Rodrigo Gomes all found the net in a dominant performance.

While they may have produced a free-scoring display, Portugal will also be proud of the fact that they recorded their second clean sheet of the tournament, meaning they are just one of three sides yet to concede in the competition.

They will hope to produce another strong defensive display in their final group game, knowing that a draw will secure them a quarter-final spot and a win will guarantee them first place in Group C.

Georgia Under-21 form (all competitions)

L W W L W L

Portugal Under-21 form (all competitions)

D W L L D W

Team News

Georgia boss Ramaz Svanadze is expected to stick with a back four of Giorgi Maisuradze, Sazonov, Saba Khvadagiani and Irakli Azarovi.

Abuashvili is pushing for a recall to the starting lineup after coming off the bench to find the net in Saturday’s narrow loss to France.

Svanadze could be tempted to freshen up the midfield with the introduction of Otar Mamageishvili and Gabriel Sigua. 

As for Portugal, Jorge could stick with the same side that cruised past Poland, which would force Gomes to settle for a place on the bench despite scoring in Saturday’s substitute appearance.

After coming into the side on matchday two, Nazinho should continue in a back four with Joao Muniz, Chico Lamba and Rodrigo Pinheiro.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Quenda and Roger Fernandes should offer support from the flanks for central striker Araujo.

Georgia Under-21 possible starting lineup:

Kharatishvili; Maisuradze, Sazonov, Khvadagiani, Azarovi; Sigua, Lominadze, Mamageishvili; Odisharia, Abuashvili, Kvernadze

Portugal Under-21 possible starting lineup:

Soares; Pinheiro, Lamba, Muniz, Nazinho; Santos, Nascimento, Bernardo; Quenda, R. Fernandes, Araujo

We say: Georgia Under-21 1-3 Portugal Under-21

Portugal will be in high spirits after cruising past Poland on matchday two, and while we do not think they will produce a repeat of that sizeable scoreline, we believe they will do enough to claim a relatively comfortable victory in their final group game against Georgia. 

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