Both Georgia and Israel have advanced to the European Under-21 Championship knockout round for the first time and one of them will go through to the final four after their meeting in Tbilisi.
Co-hosts Georgia were drawn alongside Portugal, Belgium and Netherlands in Group A, but defied modest expectations by finishing top of the pool with five points.
Israel were widely considered to be the weakest team in Group C, but they collected four points and earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Germany to follow section winners England through to the quarter-finals.
Georgia vs Israel Betting Tips
Date: Saturday 1st July
Time: 17.00
Location: Boris Paichadze Stadium, Tbilisi
Team news
Georgia have no injuries or suspensions and are expected to continue with the five-man backline they utilised during the group stage.
Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili began the tournament on the bench, but has started the last two games and is expected to keep his place.
Israel will be without left-back Roy Revivo, who is suspended after collecting two yellow cards.
Revivo could be replaced by Ironi Kiryat Shmona defender Ziv Morgan.
Israel draw no bet @ 6/5
Israel have got used to upsetting the odds and they look the likelier winners against Georgia in Tbilisi.
Georgia played the role of the underdog in each of their Group A matches and came away with three excellent results, defeating Portugal 2-0 and drawing with Belgium (2-2) and Netherlands (1-1).
This time they are the favourites and the change of dynamic may prove a difficult challenge for their head coach, Ramaz Svanadze.
The Georgians have favoured a cautious, counter-attacking style under Svanadze, who has set them up with a deep-lying back five.
In all three games they have had less possession and fewer shots than their opponents, but have made the most of a small number of opportunities much to the delight of their passionate supporters.
Georgia’s performances have captured the hearts of their fans with attendances rising with every step they take – over 43,000 fans attended Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against the Netherlands which sealed a place in the last eight.
Expectations have been rising and home fans will anticipate further success against an Israel side considered to be less of a threat than any of Georgia’s group stage opponents.
But Israel have been growing in stature and their 1-0 success over the Czech Republic was thoroughly deserved after they dominated large periods of the game and won the shot count 17 to seven.
Israel have played in different ways, sitting deep in the 1-1 draw against Germany and taking control against the Czechs.
Their adaptability gives them an advantage over Georgia and they look decent value 5/1 shots to register a second successive 1-0 victory.
Oscar Gloukh to score and under 1.5 Georgia goals @ 6/1
Nineteen-year-old RB Salzburg attacking midfielder Oscar Gloukh was the star in Israel’s 1-0 success over the Czech Republic and he has a key role to play against Georgia.
Gloukh laid on Omri Gandelman’s winning goal against the Czechs, but he is capable of going it alone and has notched twice in five appearances for Israel’s senior team.
The teenager can make his mark in the quarter-final and there might not be much of a response from the co-hosts.
Georgia registered just two shots on target during their 1-1 draw against the Netherlands and they may struggle to score more than once in this quarter-final.
Share Article
