Verdict: Total goals over 2.5
Best odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
Under-21s and Slovenia Under-21s will kick off their 2025 European Championship campaign on Thursday at Stadion pod Zoborom.
This marks the first competitive clash between the two sides, who are placed in Group B alongside reigning champions England and the Czech Republic.
After appearing in three consecutive European Championship finals between 2017 and 2021 — and lifting the trophy in the latter — Under-21s endured a shock early exit in the 2023 edition, failing to reach the knockouts for the first time in 10 years.
Antonio Di Salvo’s team arrive in Slovakia with a point to prove, having failed to win any of their last five group-stage matches at the Euros and with added motivation to face England and Czech Republic again after defeats to both in 2023.
First up is a clash with Slovenia, and enter Thursday’s contest on a 15-match unbeaten run (W12 D3) in all competitions, which includes eight victories in 10 qualifying games and recent friendly wins over Slovakia (1-0) and Spain (3-1).
With several players from the Bundesliga in their ranks and an impressive record in tournament openers – losing just one, back in 2013 to the Netherlands — will be confident of taking three points to begin their Group B campaign.
Team News
After earning his senior debut for in the UEFA Nations League earlier this month, Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade has returned to the Under-21s and is expected to spearhead the attack. The 23-year-old enjoyed a prolific 2024/25 Bundesliga season, scoring 12 goals in 28 games, and also grabbed a hat-trick in the friendly win over Spain three months ago.
ing him in the final third could be Ansgar Knauff (Eintracht Frankfurt), Brajan Gruda (Brighton), and Paul Nebel (Mainz), while captain Eric Martel is likely to partner Rocco Reitz in the heart of midfield.
Slovenia
While prepare for their 11th European Championship campaign, Slovenia are set for only their second, having previously appeared as co-hosts with Hungary in 2021, where they failed to win any of their three group games.
The 2025 edition marks Slovenia’s first successful qualification through a standard campaign. They topped their group with five wins from eight games, finishing ahead of despite a heavy 4-0 defeat and a 1-1 draw in their two meetings with Les Bleus.
Appointed in February, head coach Andrej Razdrh is still chasing his first win, having overseen a 1-1 draw with Ukraine and a 1-0 loss to Finland in March friendlies.
Despite that, Slovenia have become a resilient outfit, losing just three of their last 16 matches (W7 D6). They’ll need another disciplined performance to cause an upset against and claim their maiden victory at the finals.
Team News
Razdrh may opt to mirror ’s setup with a 4-2-3-1 formation, potentially handing starts to uncapped centre-backs Relja Obric and Lovro Golic of Atalanta and Roma respectively, alongside Srdan Kuzmic in defence.
Slovenia’s top scorer in qualifying Tio Cipot, who netted six times, is expected to take up a role on the left wing, forming part of an attacking quartet with Martin Pecar, Tjas Begic, and Jaka Cuber Potocnik.
Conclusion
It’s hard to see Slovenia springing a surprise against a talented side, who head into the contest as clear favourites to secure all three points. While the Little Dragons might manage to disrupt Die Nationalelf at times, Di Salvo’s men are expected to eventually break through and outscore their opponents.
Verdict: Total goals over 2.5
Best odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
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