Sports Mole previews Sunday’s European Under-17s Championship clash between Wales Under-17s and Croatia Under-17s, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Croatia Under-17s will look to seal their place in the European Under-17 Championship quarter-final when they face Wales Under-17s in Sunday’s clash at the Dasaki Stadium.
Wales are unable to progress to the knockout stages after losing their opening two games against Denmark and Austria.
Match preview
Having taken two points from two matches, Croatia have work to do if they are to reach the European Under-17 knockout rounds for the first time since 2015.
They played out a goalless affair in their opener against Austria, before they gave up a narrow 2-1 lead to draw 2-2 with Denmark on Thursday.
Croatia fought back from a goal down to establish a slender advantage against Denmark thanks to goals from Patrice Covic and Noa Mikic.
Although they are two points adrift of the top two, Croatia will advance to the last eight with a win as long as the game between Austria and Denmark does not produce a 3-3 draw or higher.
Claiming three points will be easier said than done, having won one, drawn four and lost one of their last six matches.
Wales are merely playing for pride after their elimination was confirmed with a heavy defeat in Thursday’s clash with Austria.
The Young Dragons entered matchday two with hopes of bouncing back from a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Denmark.
However, they ultimately experienced another poor result, conceding three goals without reply as Austria cruised to a comfortable victory.
Wales have experienced similar results to the 2023 competition when they lost 3-0 to both Hungary and the Republic of Ireland before beating Poland in their final group game.
That result could not stop Wales from finishing bottom of the group, and they will have to claim a win on Sunday if they wish to avoid a similar fate in this year’s tournament.
Wales Under-17s European Under-17s Championship form:
Croatia Under-17s European Under-17s Championship form:
Team News
Wales will be unable to call upon Charlie Walker-Smith and Brayden Clarke after the pair picked up bookings in both games against Denmark and Austria.
With the pair ruled out, Craig Knight may decide to utilise Rhys Morrish and Iestyn Jones as his centre-back pairing.
Luis Gardner and Cruz Allen could be recalled to the starting lineup after dropping down to the bench on matchday two.
Meanwhile, Croatia will be forced into at least one change, with Covic suspended following his second booking of the tournament.
Covic’s absence could present Slaven Belupo’s Patrik Maric with the chance to make his second start of the tournament.
Wales Under-17s possible starting lineup:
Lines; Kpakio, Morrish, Jones, Thomas; Bradbury, Perry, Gardner; Allen, Myles, Bostock
Croatia Under-17s possible starting lineup:
Rajic; Mikic, Zebic, Puljic, Mandic; Bakovic, Vojvodic, Ahmeti; Durdov, Maric, Cutuk
We say: Wales Under-17s 0-2 Croatia Under-17s
Wales have been brushed aside in their opening two matches, and we think they could experience more disappointment when they face Croatia in their final group match.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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