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Preview: Andorra Under-21s vs. England Under-21s - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Monday's UEFA Under-21 European Championship qualification clash between Andorra Under-21s and England Under-21s, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

England Under-21s square off against Andorra Under-21s on Monday evening under pressure to get back to winning ways in their Under-21 European Championship qualification group.

Thursday's draw versus Slovenia Under-21s has left Lee Carsley's five points adrift of Group G leaders Czech Republic, albeit with a game in hand.


Match preview

Cole Palmer celebrates scoring for England Under-21s against Kosovo Under-21s on September 7, 2021© Reuters

During the early stages of their most recent outing, it appeared that the Young Lions were going to cruise to yet another victory in a qualifying campaign.

However, despite being two goals to the good after just 14 minutes, Carsley's side were eventually held to a 2-2 draw by a spirited Slovenia side.

With a game in hand and two fixtures with Czech Republic still to come, Carsley will see little reason to panic, but there is no doubt that Thursday's capitulation came as a wake-up call.

On a positive note, Manchester City prospect Cole Palmer chipped in with his second goal in as many appearances, while Chelsea talent Conor Gallagher also got on the scoresheet.

While a lack of international experience played its part against Slovenia, the Young Lions should encounter no such issues versus their next opponents.

That is despite Andorra causing one of the surprises of their last qualifying campaign in the same fixture, a remarkable 3-3 draw being earned a little over a year ago.

On that occasion, England blew 2-1 and 3-2 leads with Christian Garcia netting in the final minute to record one of Andorra's greatest-ever results at this level.

The flip side to achieving such a famous draw is multiple members of that group now earning opportunities in the senior ranks, and Andorra have now lost their last seven Under-21 fixtures.

Nevertheless, Carsley would have taken note of Andorra only going down 1-0 to Slovenia in September, that loss a consequence of going down to 10 men early in the second half.

Andorra UEFA Under-21 European Championship qualification form:
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L

England UEFA Under-21 European Championship qualification form:
  • W
  • D

England form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • D



Team News

Arsenal's Folarin Balogun during the warm up before the match on August 13, 2021© Reuters

Carsley will almost certainly make a number of changes to his England XI, including bringing in Folarin Balogun for Rhian Brewster in attack.

Tino Livramento could make his first start at this level at right-back, while Angel Gomes may feature after earning regular game time with Lille this season.

James Garner is an alternative if Carsley opts to stick with a three-man midfield.

Having pushed Albania on Thursday night, Andorra boss Eloy Casals could keep changes down to a minimum.

Alex Rente may be provided with an opportunity in the final third after the 17-year-old made his debut as a substitute last time out.

Andorra U21s possible starting lineup:
Gimenez; Ines, Rodrigues, Vales, Guerrero; Planes, Muller, Izquierdo, Pubill; Garcia, Ubach

England U21s possible starting lineup:
Bursik; Livramento, Guehi, Harwood-Bellis, Thomas; Gallagher, Skipp; Gomes, Palmer, Smith-Rowe; Balogun


SM words green background

We say: Andorra U21s 0-2 England U21s

With Carsley's side not firing on all cylinders on Thursday, their focus is now on a result rather than a performance. With that in mind, we expect a no-thrills win, one which should be accompanied by a clean sheet.

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Written by
Darren Plant

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Who will win Monday's UEFA Under-21 European Championship qualification clash between Andorra U21s and England U21s?

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