Sports Mole previews Thursday's UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match between England U21s and Czech Republic U21s, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

England Under-21s head into Thursday's UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier with Czech Republic Under-21s under pressure to get a win on the board.

Lee Carsley's men trail their next opponents by five points in Group G, albeit with a game in hand, after being held by Slovakia Under-21s last month.

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Match preview

Despite their failings at the last European Championship, new England Under-21s boss Carsley would have had high hopes for a routine qualifying campaign ahead of the 2023 version.

However, two below-par performances during October have left the Young Lions off the pace in every category, most importantly in the points tally.

After blowing a two-goal lead in Slovakia, England almost came unstuck in Andorra, having to rely on an Emile Smith Rowe goal after they had been reduced to 10 men.

Despite Czech Republic offering a significant step up in test, Carsley will argue that it what his players require to start living up to their potential as a group.

Four of England's five goals under Carsley have come in the opening 26 minutes, highlighting that their game management will need to improve against an in-form side.

The perception was that Czech Republic were competing to finish as runners-up to England, but they now believe that they can edge out their more illustrious hosts.

With five points the gap, the visitors would be delighted with a share of the spoils at Turf Moor, and it would not come as a huge surprise with their only defeat in seven games coming against Spain.

While the goals have been shared around this squad, defender Adam Gabriel stood out during October by finding the back of the net during back-to-back wins over Kosovo.

Czech Republic are no strangers to these shores, their latest visit coming 13 months ago as they lost 2-0 in Scotland.

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Team News

England Under-21s have suffered a number of withdrawals, Joe Gelhardt the latest player to join a list which includes Tino Livramento.

Rhian Brewster is also suspended, with Folarin Balogun a likely replacement, and Angel Gomes could take the spot of Smith Rowe on the left flank.

Oliver Skipp and Morgan Gibbs-White are pushing for an opportunity in midfield if Carsley decides to make a change.

Czech Republic are expected to line up in a similar way to their routine victory over Kosovo last time out.

Lukas Cerv may replace Filip Kaloc, but Vaclav Sejk should keep his place down the middle of the attack.

England Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Bursik; Aarons, Harwood-Bellis, Guehi, Thomas; Garner, Doyle, Gallagher; Palmer, Balogun, Gomes

Czech Republic Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Kovar; Gabriel, Vitik, Knapik, Fukala; Cerv, Zamburek; Karabec, Sulc, Ostrak; Sejk

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

Having not conceded a goal during their opening four matches, Czech Republic travel to England full of confidence. However, we can only back the home side's superior quality in the final third to eventually shine though, leading us to predict a narrow win. body check tags ::

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