UEFA Under-21 final: Pragmatic Portugal can temper Sweden steel

Both Portugal and Sweden’s Under-21s laid down major markers in making the UEFA Under-21 European Championship final by battering respective semis opponents Germany and Denmark. This comes in stark contrast to the cagey draw these two teams played out in the group stage.

The Navigators’ famous 5-0 rout of the tournament favourites is enough to give them odds-on 4/6 status with Coral to wrap up this youth title in 90 minutes. Despite putting four past their Scandinavian rivals, the Swedes are 4/1 outsiders, and a draw, which means extra time and possibly penalties, is an 11/4 chance.

Despite Portuguese wide options being plentiful, they have been surprisingly pragmatic in their approach to this championship. Starting with a narrow midfield diamond, affording Monaco attack Bernardo Silva a free role behind the front two, Rui Jorge has then astutely switched things in the second half by bringing on wingers to stretch opponents.

This worked a treat against Germany in the semis, and it’s to an ensemble cast that punters backing Portugal should once again look for goals. Semi-final scorers Silva (5/1 to strike first again), Ricardo Pereira (6/5 anytime), Ricardo Horta (better at 2/1 in that market) and Ivan Cavaleiro (shorter at 5/4) are all worth considering again.

Punters may like the look of top scorer Joao Mario at 11/2 anytime, and he has certainly been given plenty of box-to-box duties throughout the tournament. Playing alongside Sporting Lisbon teammate William Carvalho means he can break forward with confidence, knowing there is cover.