Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the 2027 European U21 qualifying match.
These fixtures are always significant, whatever the level at which England U21 and Ireland U21 meet. But can the Irish side offer serious resistance to the reigning European champions?
England U21
England U21 lifted the European Under-21 Championship last summer and also triumphed in 2023. Across the Premier League, clubs continue to produce talent in numbers. After that triumph in Slovakia, they played three qualifiers in their group, winning all of them to nil: away to Kazakhstan U21 (2:0) and Moldova U21 (4:0), then at Pride Park Stadium, Derby, a narrow 1:0 against Andorra U21.
Ireland U21
Ireland U21 did not participate in the last two European Under-21 Championships. In qualifying for the 2025 European Under-21 Championship, they lost second place to Norway U21 only on goal difference, but even that would not have taken them further. Norway U21 did not reach the play-offs, which means the Irish would have faced the same fate. In the current 2027 European Under-21 Championship qualification, they have a chance to progress. They are currently third thanks to two narrow wins over outsiders Moldova U21 (2:1) and Andorra U21 (1:0), plus a draw with Slovakia U21 (2:2).
England U21 vs Ireland U21 Prediction
Based on the results so far, the gap between the teams in qualifying is not huge, so a rout either way is unlikely. The visitors are not Moldova U21. Even so, the hosts look likelier winners. We rate their chance at around 70%, so the pick is the hosts to win and the under 3.5 goals.
