Finland U21 vs Netherlands U21 Prediction: Ohio to strike for Jong Oranje

The Netherlands Under-21s get their European U21 Championship campaign underway on Thursday (20:00, YouTube) against Finland Under-21s at Kosicka futbalova arena. The two teams have been drawn in Group D alongside Denmark U21s and Ukraine U21s.

This is a competitive group and the Netherlands are the most fancied team of the four to progress, and they are 7/1 to go all the way in Slovakia this summer. Below you will find my Netherlands U21 vs Finland U21 predictions, alongside the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

Finland have ended a 16-year hiatus from the U21 Euros and they will relish their return and will be determined to deliver a strong campaign in Slovakia.

Their last appearance was back in 2009 and they will hope for far more joy in this edition as they crashed out having lost all three of their group stage fixtures.

Midfielder Santeri Vaananen will captain the side, while goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom, Ville Koski and Naatan Skytta will complete the leadership group for the Little Eagle-Owls.

Skytta may be a midfielder but he is currently Finland U21s' strongest goalscorer with 11 in 26 appearances. He will be turned to for inspiration a lot throughout the group stage.

The Netherlands are considered one of the favourites to become the European champions this summer and they have won this tournament twice in the past (2006 and 2007).

Jong Oranje stormed into the finals by topping their group in qualifying, winning all 10 of their fixtures. They have built a lot of momentum ahead of the finals in Slovakia and they are certainly a team to keep an eye on in the next few weeks.

Aston Villa defender Ian Maatsen, who has featured for the Netherlands senior side, is one of the notable players at the U21 Euros, so many are expecting big things from him on this stage. He has the quality to be featuring more for the senior side but U21s boss Michael Reiziger will consider himself lucky that he has him for the Euros.

Luciano Valente of Groningen is another one to watch for the Netherlands, having contributed two goals in the three appearances he has made for Jong Oranje since switching over his international allegiance from Italy.

He will add to the Netherlands' already-impressive attacking ranks that features Ruben van Bommel, Noah Ohio and Million Manhoef.

Finland U21 vs Netherlands U21 Odds

Finland are 6/1 to stun the Netherlands on Thursday, and they have won three of their last five matches coming into this contest.

The stalemate is on offer at 7/2, with two of the Netherlands' past five fixtures ending in a draw.

The Jong Oranje are the 2/5 favourites here but you'd find better value in adding both teams to score as there have bee goals at both ends in five of Finland's previous six games. This selection is 15/8, which has an implied probability of 34.8%.

BTTS on its own is priced at 4/5.

Netherlands and both teams to score @ 15/8

The Netherlands are being tipped for a good run in Slovakia and with the talent they have at their disposal, you understand why. I think they will be able to get off to a flying start in Group D because they have a flawless record against Finland U21s, having won all eight of their previous head-to-heads.

The last meeting was a friendly in March 2017, with Jong Oranje winning 2-0 on that occasion. The Dutch are also coming into this contest 10 matches unbeaten since March 2024, while they won all 10 of their European qualifiers.

They look to be in great shape ahead of this opening fixture, and I think that they will prove too much for Finland to handle upon their return to the European stage. The Little Eagle-Owls can put up a fight, though, and they did work hard to return to the Euros finals.

I think that they can at least get on the scoresheet as there have been goals at both ends in five of their last six matches.

Noah Ohio anytime goalscorer @ 6/5

The Netherlands U21s were flawless in qualifying but there were certain individuals who stood out more than most. Forward Noah Ohio was one in particular, as he scored seven times in 10 games, as well as providing four assists.

He is going to be a man full of confidence ahead of his side's opener against Finland and his opponents are going to be aware of the threat he possesses. Ohio is still finding his feet in senior football but he continues to thrive for the Dutch U21s, which is likely down to the faith and trust he has from boss Reiziger.

As such, I think he is going to be in for a fruitful campaign in Slovakia and he is someone who has the credentials to potentially claim the Golden Boot at the end of the tournament. I'm backing him to get off on the right track on Thursday with a goal against Finland.

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