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Israel vs England: Head to head statistics
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Israel vs England recommended bets
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Israel vs England match preview
These two nations met in the group stages a mere ten days ago, with England comfortably winning 2-0 in Kutaisi that afternoon.
This time, in a significantly more high-stakes fixture, will this under-21 European Championships semi-final go the same way?
Israel were involved in the first of this year’s quarter-finals on Saturday evening, taking on co-hosts Georgia in front of 45,000 partisan supporters at Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena.
It’s fair to say, Israel created the better chances throughout but, after 120 minutes, neither team had found the breakthrough, meaning a penalty shootout was required.
Gil Cohen and Omri Gandelman held their nerve from 12 yards, before Daniel Peretz managed to keep out Georgia’s third with a comfortable save.
Then, Anan Khalaily and Oscar Gloukh kept Israel’s 100% record in tact meaning, when Georgia’s fifth spot-kick thwacked the post, the co-hosts were out.
England meantime faced Portugal in their last eight fixture on Sunday, and one goal proved to be enough for the Young Lions at Ramaz Shengelia Stadium.
It came in the 34th minute and was a free-flowing team move; Jacob Ramsey burst forward from midfield, found Noni Madueke, he played in Morgan Gibbs-White who’s pull back was lashed home by Anthony Gordon.
Safe to say, Portugal dominated the second half, but James Trafford and his defence remained firm, meaning Lee Carsley’s side are still yet to concede a goal at this tournament.
That was England’s first knockout phase victory at the U21 Euros since 2009, getting all the way to the final back then, eventually smashed 4-0 by Germany in Malmö.
The Three Lions are the only side left at this competition with a 100% record, hoping that’ll take them all the way to Saturday’s final, where Spain or Ukraine await.
Will England be celebrating come full time at Batumi Stadium, or can Israel pull off an upset?
Israel team news
Roy Revivo missed Saturday’s quarter-final victory through suspension, so will return at left-wing-back in place of Ilay Hagag.
Dor Turgeman will partner Idan Gorno Toklomati in attack, while midfielder Eden Kartsev is their talisman.
If this tie goes to a penalty shootout, Israel can certainly rely on goalkeeper Daniel Peretz.
He’s saved three spot-kicks at this tournament already, having also kept out three in the play-off victory over Ireland, also converting one himself.
England team news
Lee Carsley has a bit of a problem at full-back, given that both Max Aarons and Ben Johnson will serve one-match suspensions.
So, Leicester City’s Luke Thomas will come in on the left, with James Garner, a midfielder by trade, once again on the right.
As mentioned, James Trafford is yet to concede a goal in Georgia; the last team to win the U21 Euros without conceding is Spain in 1998, playing just three games.
Emile Smith Rowe is England’s joint-top scorer at this tournament with two, one of which came against Israel.
He’s likely to come back into the XI, after coming off the bench at the weekend, because Jacob Ramsey’s tournament is now over, having picked up an injury during that game.
Under-21 Euros semi-final results & fixtures
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Under-21 Euros quarter-final results & fixtures
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Under-21 Euros Group C table
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