International
2025-06-17 - Georgia U21 vs Portugal U21
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Under 21 European Championship Group C
Tuesday 17th June 2025 - Kick Off 5pm
This game is live on TV
Preview
Two years ago, the opening day of the 2023 Under 21 European Championship Finals saw co-hosts Georgia U21 taking on Portugal U21 in what was the former's first ever appearance at the Finals at this level.
With Portugal entering that tournament as the one of the favourites, most, including myself, believed they would have too much experience for a nation that had struggled to put it together at Under 21 level.
Instead the Georgians not only surprised Portugal, but they found a way to make it out of the Group Stage before eventually being beaten by Israel U21 on Penalties in the Quarter Final. It was a stunning run and the belief that it has given the next generation of youngsters coming through has helped Georgia Qualify for the 2025 Finals and earn their place in Slovakia.
An opening win over Poland U21 put Georgia in a strong position, but they will enter this final round of fixtures feeling a lot of regret for failing to hold onto a 2-1 lead over France U21 as the game entered the 89th minute. Even a draw would not have been a bad result before kick off, but Georgia took a body blow in conceding again in the 102nd minute to lose 3-2.
Portugal U21 crushed Poland in the other game in the Group to move to the head of the standings and in all likelihood, it means both of these nations are not going to be playing in the Quarter Final Round.
There is still an outside chance of that happening, but would involve France losing to eliminated Poland and Georgia winning this fixture.
That does clear up the mindset for both sets of players- Portugal will not have forgotten that upset in Tbilisi in 2023 and they will not want to leave their Quarter Final place to events in the other fixture in the Group, while Georgia simply need to win.
All credit has to be given to Georgia for the performances in their opening two games, but France may feel they were wasteful. That was far from the case for Portugal who thumped Poland 5-0 and had the better of the chances when facing France in the opening fixture and it really does feel like this fixture is going to be a case of revenge, not repeat.
Portugal will have taken a lot of confidence from that win over Poland and the pressure is on Georgia to come out.
This could play into the hands of the favourites and Portugal may end up catching Georgia on the counter attack as the game develops.
Prediction
There is plenty to play for when Georgia U21 and Portugal U21 meet for a second Under 21 European Championship Finals in a row and the latter will be looking for revenge for the 2-0 defeat in Tbilisi in 2023.
Portugal just need a positive result to secure passage into the Quarter Final and the pressure is on the underdog to push forward and score the goals they need to win the game.
With back to back clean sheets, Portugal may be confident in being able to soak up the pressure and hit Georgia on the counter attack.
If they can get in front, Portugal should find more and more open spaces to exploit with Georgia likely going to be more and more desperate to get back into the match. That could see Portugal recording another comfortable Group Stage win and give them real momentum and confidence to take into the Knock Out Rounds, which begin this Saturday.
The Pick :
Georgia U21 0-2 Portugal U21
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Portugal U21 - 1.5 Asian Handicap at 1.90 with Bet365
