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

The home side hold a three-point advantage at the top of Group G, but England still possess two games in hand ahead of the meeting in Ceske Budejovice.

Match preview

All things considered, England were provided with that should have been a routine group, but an early draw in Slovenia gifted the advantage to Czech Republic.

At one stage, Lee Carsley's side found themselves well adrift of their group rivals, and defeat at Turf Moor in November would have left them staring at a playoff spot.

However, three goals inside the opening half-hour helped secure a 3-1 victory, Czech Republic following that defeat with their own draw in Slovenia.

Even though England are still in second position, having four matches remaining leaves them in a position where they can afford to draw on Friday and still hold a clear advantage over the frontrunners.

That said, England have not particularly fared well on away territory under Carsley with a shock 3-2 friendly defeat coming in Georgia at the end of last year.

The competitive victories which followed against Andorra and Albania look fairly routine on paper, but the Young Lions were not at their best in either contest.

Despite all that, the biggest challenge for Carsley could be rotating his squad with four games to be played before June 13, putting the onus on a result being earned on Friday.

As far as Czech Republic are concerned, their only defeats in 13 outings have been against Spain and England, with clean sheets coming in six of their last eight games.

Daniel Fila, as well as England's Folarin Balogun, have four goals apiece in this group.

Czech Republic Under-21s form (all competitions):

England Under-21s form (all competitions):

Team News

Having been recalled to the frontline for the meeting against Andorra, Fila's double in that fixture should be enough to see him retain his place.

However, Manchester United goalkeeper Matej Kovar will hope to be recalled in place of Liverpool stopper Vitezslav Jaros.

England will make at least two changes from their last fixture with Tino Livramento and Noni Madueke not present in this squad.

Levi Colwill and James Garner are also doubts after featuring in the Championship playoff final on Sunday.

Charlie Cresswell, Luke Thomas, Tommy Doyle and Emile Smith Rowe may all be handed starting roles in their place.

Czech Republic Under-21s possible starting lineup:

Kovar; Gabriel, Vitik, Hranac, Fukala; Zamburek, Kaloc; Sulc, Valenta, Ostrak; Fila

England Under-21s possible starting lineup:

Bursik; Johnson, Harwood-Bellis, Cresswell, Thomas; Doyle, Jones; Smith Rowe, Gibbs-White, Gordon; Balogun

We say: Czech Republic Under-21s 1-2 England Under-21s

Although England made relatively light work of the reverse fixture, Czech Republic should put up much more of a fight on home territory. Nevertheless, they know that only a win will do here, and that should play into the hands of their opponents who are full of attacking quality.

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