Preview: Portugal Under-21 vs Poland Under-21 - prediction, team news, lineups

On Saturday, Portugal Under-21s will lock horns with Poland Under-21s in Trencin on matchday two of the European Under-21 Championship group stage.

Poland picked up a point in their opener against France, while Poland fell to a narrow defeat to Georgia on matchday one.

Match preview

Portugal are looking to guide their country to their first-ever Under-21 Euros title, having finished as runners-up on three previous occasions.

Their quest to win the top prize got off to an underwhelming start, as they played out a goalless draw in Wednesday’s group opener against France.

As a result, Rui Jorge’s side have now gone three matches without a win since beating Slovakia 3-1 in November’s friendly fixture. 

Portugal will still fancy the points required from their final two group games against Poland and Georgia to reach the knockout rounds for the third consecutive Under-21 Euros.

With that said, Portugal have only won one of their previous seven games on matchday two of the Under-21 European Championship (D3, L3), with that sole victory taking place against England at the 2021 tournament.

Poland are making their first appearance at the Under-21 Euros since suffering back-to-back group stage exits in 2017 and 2019.

As a result, the current group of prospects are looking to steer their country through the group stage for the first time in the competition’s history.

However, their hopes of reaching the quarter-final are already fading after suffering a 2-1 defeat in Wednesday’s opening game against Georgia.

They looked set to play out a 1-1 draw when Jakub Kaluzinski equalised from the spot in the 73rd minute, only for Georgia’s Vasilios Gordeziani to snatch all three points with a stoppage-time winner. 

Poland have now won just one of their last five matches, which will not offer too much inspiration ahead of difficult games against Portugal and France.

Portugal Under-21 form (all competitions)

W D W L L D

Poland Under-21 form (all competitions)

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Team News

Portugal could make a change on the left side of defence, with Nazinho pushing for a starting spot after featuring as a half-time substitute on Wednesday.

Jorge could decide to freshen up his attacking options by starting Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Carlos Forbs.

Tiago Tomas should continue to lead the line, with the striker looking to add to the two goals he has scored for the Under-21 side.

Poland boss Adam Majewski could stick with a back five of Dominik Marczuk, Patryk Peda, Ariel Mosor, Michal Gurgul and Arkadiusz Pyrka.

Tomasz Pienko could be given the chance to start if Majewski decides to alter his attacking options for Saturday’s contest.

Striker Filip Szymczak should retain his place up front, having scored eight goals in 26 appearances for the Under-21 side.

Portugal Under-21 possible starting lineup:

Soares; Pinheiro, Lamba, Muniz, Nazinho; Fernandes, Nascimento, Bernardo; Quenda, Forbs; Tomas

Poland Under-21 possible starting lineup:

Tobiasz; Marczuk, Peda, Mosor, Gurgul, Pyrka; Pienko, Kaluzinski, Kozubal, Fornalczyk; Szymczak

We say: Portugal Under-21 2-0 Poland Under-21

Poland will still be reeling from the manner of Wednesday's defeat to Georgia, and we think they will struggle to bounce back against a strong Portugal side, which is why we are predicting a relatively comfortable victory for Jorge's side. 

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