Twenty four hours after the senior teams lock horns at Wembley Stadium, England Under-21s and Germany Under-21s will test their mettle in Tuesday's friendly.
The Young Lions ran out 2-0 winners over Italy's young prospects last time out, while their visitors went down 1-0 to France in their most recent friendly.
Match preview
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It took Sheffield United youngster Rhian Brewster all of five minutes to put Italy to the sword in Friday's friendly, as the former Liverpool man bagged a brace to ensure Lee Carsley's side would return to winning ways in Pescara.
Brewster firstly tucked home a penalty after Conor Gallagher drew a foul inside the penalty area, and he added a second for himself not long after, as he latched onto Angel Gomes's ball and dinked over the onrushing Alessandro Plizzari.
England's Under-21s had endured a dismal end to an otherwise perfect June of European qualifying after a 2-1 loss to Slovenia, which ended their five-game winning streak in all competitions, but the Young Lions are now back on track ahead of next year's Euros after qualifying with 25 points from Group G.
Sheffield United's Bramall Lane will play host to England's junior showdown with Germany this week, where Friday's two-goal hero Brewster would also feel right at home, and their upcoming opponents did not demonstrate a ruthlessness in front of goal last time out.
Reigning champions Germany will also be present at the UEFA European Under-21 Championships next summer after cruising through qualifying Group B, taking 27 points from a possible 30 and scoring an astounding 32 goals along the way.
Barring a surprise 4-0 defeat to Poland back in November, Antonio Di Salvo's side endured a near-faultless qualification process, but their streak of five consecutive wins was brought to an end against France in Friday's friendly.
Rennes starlet Amine Gouiri struck the game's only goal in the 52nd minute as Les Bleuets shut up shop to condemn Germany to a rare home defeat, but Di Salvo's side have a penchant for victories away from home, coming up with nine successive wins on rival turf in all tournaments.
Germany ran out 2-1 winners over England the last time the two sides met at Under-21 level in a 2019 friendly, which marked the Three Lions' fifth defeat from their last six attempts in this fixture since losing the final of the 2009 Euros by the same scoreline.
Germany Under-21 form (all competitions):
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
Team News
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England boss Carsley unsurprisingly rang the changes during the second half of his side's triumph over Italy, with no fewer than eight changes being made throughout the course of the contest.
Given the quick turnaround, the hosts should shuffle the pack considerably from the first whistle, as the likes of Max Aarons, Harvey Elliott, Jacob Ramsey and Anthony Gordon all prepare to provide fresh legs.
Despite his brace last time out, Brewster's spot at the tip of the attack will come under threat from Folarin Balogun, who has already struck five Ligue 1 goals and two assists in eight matches for Reims since joining on loan from Arsenal.
As for Germany, 10-goal striker Jonathan Burkardt was unable to link up with his teammates for September's fixtures after the Mainz forward sustained a foot laceration, while Josha Vagnoman and Kevin Schade are not present either.
Koln midfielder Tim Lemperle was initially called up to the Under-21 squad but then dropped down to Under-20 level for the September break, but some recognisable names will still feature in the visitors' XI.
Sheffield United midfielder Reda Khadra could make an appearance at his domestic home, while 17-year-old Borussia Dortmund starlet Youssoufa Moukoko could operate at the tip of the attack.
England Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Bursik; Harwood-Bellis, Mbete, Colwill; Aarons, Ramsey, Garner, Sessegnon; Elliott, Balogun, Gordon
Germany Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Mantl; Fischer, Thiaw, Bisseck, Netz; Krauss, Stiller; Knauff, Nmecha, Thielmann; Moukouko
We say: England Under-21s 1-1 Germany Under-21s
Germany are far from full strength this month and did not have the answers to a dogged France defence on Friday, but away from home is where the European champions have thrived.
England will make a strong case to wrestle the continental crown off the Germans' hands, though, and we can picture a low-scoring draw on Tuesday as Carsley tinkers with his talented squad.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Knapton
