England U21 vs. Portugal U21 Betting Tips: Back the Young Lions to advance to the semi-finals

England U21’s take on Portugal U21’s in the quarter-final of the European Championships on Sunday. It’s been a profitable tournament for our selections so far and Anthony Eadson returns with two tips that he likes the look of.

After a comfortable 2-0 victory over Germany on Wednesday evening, Lee Carsley’s Young Lions made it a perfect record of three wins from three to top the group C table. Another win here in the quarter-finals would set up a potential semi-final with either Israel or Georgia and the bookmakers have slashed England into the 9/4 favourites to go on and win the tournament. 

Portugal finished second in Group A in a quartet that included Georgia, Netherlands and Belgium. It was the Georgians that topped the table with Rui Jorge’s Portugal side collecting four points from their three matches in second. It was a 2-1 win over Belgium that saw Portugal into the last-eight, but they must improve here if they are to see off the Three Lions. Heading into Sunday, most trusted betting sites have Portugal priced at 7/1 to go on and taste Euro glory this summer.

Under the watchful eye of Gareth Southgate in the stands England’s Young Lions put in a perfect showing in Group C. Despite Lee Carsley making eight changes in the final game against Germany, goals from Cameron Archer and Harvey Elliot ensured another comfortable victory. 

There is a real confidence and professionalism about this current crop of England youngsters and it is no surprise to see them slashed into favourites to go on and lift the trophy. Portugal were beaten 2-0 by Georgia on Matchday 1, before being held to a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands three days later.

I believe that England can go all the way here, and I’m surprised to see even money on show for them to get the job done in 90 minutes. At the time of writing bet365 are a stand-out top price at evens, with other firms such as Sky Bet and William Hill going considerably shorter at 4/5. With only 9/4 available for Carsley’s side to go on and win the Euros, even money looks a solid showing here.

To spice things up a bit I’ll also be having a few quid on a selection from the correct score market on Sunday. England are yet to concede a goal at this tournament and have looked tight at the back and have not been troubled on too many occasions. There is no denying that Portugal have the ability to cause them problems, but if they repeat their group stage showings, I can see England winning this one quite comfortably once again.

All of England’s three matches so far at the Euros have finished with a 2-0 scoreline and four in a row does not look far-fetched here at all. At odds of 9-1 with Betfred this looks worthy of a small punt and one I’ll be taking for this quarter-final clash.