Sports Mole previews Tuesday’s European Under-21 Championship clash between France and Poland, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
France Under-21s will attempt to secure their spot in the quarter-finals of the Under-21 Euros when they face Poland Under-21s on Tuesday.
Poland only have pride to play for, having already been eliminated from the competition following consecutive defeats.
Match preview
After collecting four points from two games, France are in a strong position to reach the knockout rounds of a fourth consecutive European Under-21 Championship.
They began the tournament with a goalless draw against Portugal, before they staged a late turnaround to snatch all three points in Saturday’s meeting with Georgia.
Johann Lepenant netted an 89th equaliser after Georgia had established a 2-1 lead, before Thierno Barry scored a dramatic winner in the 12th minute of stoppage time, putting his team into second position.
France are sitting behind Portugal on goal difference and boast a one-point gap to third-placed Georgia ahead of their final group game, knowing that a point against Poland would be enough to secure a quarter-final spot.
They will certainly fancy their chances of picking up at least a draw, having avoided defeat in each of their last seven matches since they lost 2-1 to Austria in October (W4, D3).
Poland came into the tournament with hopes of progressing from the group stage for the first time in their history at the European Under-21 Championship.
Unfortunately for Poland, they already know that they will suffer their third group stage exit after failing to take anything from their first two matches.
They conceded a stoppage-time goal to lose 2-1 in their opening game against Georgia, before they fell to a heavy defeat in Saturday’s meeting with Portugal.
Poland conceded four first-half goals on their way to a demoralising 5-0 loss, leaving them bottom of the group and one of four teams yet to pick up a point at the 2025 tournament.
While their fate may be sealed, Poland would love nothing more than to spring a surprise in their final match against France, although one win in six matches suggests it will be difficult to pull off a shock win.
France Under-21 form (all competitions)
D W W W D W
Poland Under-21 form (all competitions)
D L D W L L
Team News
France are set to name an unchanged backline of Kiliann Sildillia, Chrislain Matsima, Castello Lukeba and Quentin Merlin.
Sevilla’s Lucien Agoume should retain his place in the side after coming into the team to play the full duration of Saturday’s win.
Buoyed from his successful substitute appearance against Georgia, Villarreal’s Barry could be given the opportunity to make his first start of the tournament.
As for Poland, Lukasz Bejger could come into the side to feature in central defence alongside Patryk Peda and Ariel Mosor.
Filip Luberecki and Kajetan Szmyt are both pushing for starting berths after featuring as half-time substitutes on Saturday.
Poland could keep faith with Filip Szymczak, who will be looking to the eight goals he has previously scored for the Under-21 side.
France Under-21 possible starting lineup:
Restes; Sildillia, Matsima, Lukeba, Merlin; Doukoure, Lepenant, Agoume; Odobert, Tel, Barry
Poland Under-21 possible starting lineup:
Tobiasz; Marczuk, Peda, Mosor, Bejger, Luberecki; Szmyt, Kaluzinski, Legowski, Fornalczyk; Szymczak
We say: France Under-21 3-0 Poland Under-21
Poland were unable to compete in Saturday’s heavy defeat to Portugal, and we think they could experience another difficult outing when they take on France on Tuesday.
We believe France will showcase their firepower to ease to a commanding victory to seal their place in the quarter-finals.
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