Preview: Israel Under-19s vs. England Under-19s - prediction, team news, lineups

Following a pair of impressive wins, the Young Lions are through to the last four, while their opponents at Mestsky Stadion still need a point to secure their own place in the semis.

Match preview

In their second match of a packed group-stage schedule, England's 4-0 crushing of Serbia on Wednesday saw them become the third team to seal a semi-final spot at the Under-19 Euros - along with Group A sides Italy and France.

Tottenham striker Dane Scarlett's fifth-minute finish earned Ian Foster's team a lead they were never to relinquish, and the England number nine then netted a second shortly before the interval.

Carney Chukwuemeka's second goal of the tournament and a late Daniel Jebbison strike applied further gloss to the Young Lions' victory - their second in a matter of days since kicking off in Slovakia.

Beating Austria 2-0 last weekend had already got England's quest for a title they last won five years ago off to a flying start, and Foster has now overseen a winning run of six straight games.

As his side remain undefeated in eight all told, the former Kidderminster Harriers striker will surely want to avoid losing momentum before tackling the final four - with one eye fixed upon the final in Trnava, on July 1.

Even a draw on Saturday, in the city of Ziar nad Hronom, would confirm top spot for one of the pre-finals favourites, but as two teams in each group progress to the semi-finals and also qualify for next year's Under-20 World Cup in Indonesia, their opponents are keen to upset the applecart.

Eliminating Austria in midweek, Israel clinically counter-attacked their way to an entertaining 4-2 victory at Mestsky Stadion, where they converted a half-time lead narrowly into three points by striking twice in quick succession - through Ilay Madmon and Oscar Gloch - shortly after the interval.

Though a Yusuf Demir free-kick dragged the Austrians back into the contest, Israel held on and now have four points on the board following an opening day draw with Serbia.

On that occasion, Ofir Haim's side led 2-1 with just moments left on the clock, before allowing victory to slip from their grasp, but their unbeaten run now stands at eight games, as they continue to defy expectations against Europe's elite.

A pair of friendly draws with tournament favourites France earlier this month proved the Israelis could prosper at this level, having previously claimed first place in Group 1 of elite-round qualifying.

With the nation's best-ever result at this age category being a group stage exit back in 2014, Haim's current crop are aiming to supersede that modest feat by reaching the semis - but even the winner of a playoff between the sides finishing third this month earns a place in Indonesia next summer.

Israel Under-19s European Under-19s Championship form:

Israel Under-19s form (all competitions):

England Under-19s European Under-19s Championship form:

England Under-19s form (all competitions):

Team News

Both sides have scored six goals across their opening two games, so will be confident of breaking through each other's defences on Saturday evening.

Oscar Gloch of Israel and England's Carney Chukwuemeka and Dane Scarlett have all scored two goals apiece so far at the finals, and the latter pair should start again this weekend, unless rested with the semi-finals in mind.

Top scorer during qualifying, Scarlett should lead the line up front, with the Aston Villa trio of Jacob Ramsey, Tim Iroegbunam and Chukwuemeka likely to feature in midfield, though Borussia Dortmund starlet Jamie Bynoe-Gittens was offered a first start at Under-19 level against Serbia and will hope to retain his place.

Chelsea's Harvey Vale captains England from the left flank, while Alfie Devine - a teammate of Scarlett at Spurs - will expect to be brought back into Ian Foster's midfield.

Israel, meanwhile, are set to name a similar side to that which started on Wednesday, after an excellent attacking display against Austria.

In a squad staffed by home-based players, top scorer in qualifying Dor Turgeman leads the line in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Maccabi Tel Aviv's Gloch providing a threat from behind.

Goalkeeper Lior Gliklich was dropped to the bench in midweek, but will seek to reclaim his place between the posts ahead of Tomer Tzarfati, who was booked on his tournament debut last time out.

Israel Under-19s possible starting lineup:

Gliklich; Feingold, Lemkin, Israelov, Edri; Kancepolsky, Madmon; Abed, Gloch, Lugassy; Turgeman

England Under-19s possible starting lineup:

Cox; Norton-Cuffy, Quansah, Edwards, Doyle; Iroegbunam, Chukwuemeka; Ramsey, Devine, Vale; Scarlett

We say: Israel Under-19s 1-2 England Under-19s

Even if they are tempted to make changes to their starting XI, with perhaps two crucial matches to come in the next week, England have enough strength in depth to see off a canny Israel side.

A narrow defeat could still see the Israelis through in runners-up spot, and though the Young Lions could roar once again, they are likely to take their foot off the gas in the second half.

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