Italy U17 v England U17: Forecast, Odds and Bets

May 21, 2025

The UEFA U17 Championship kicks off with a mouth-watering clash as Italy U17 host England U17 on Friday, 23 May 2025 at the Arena Egnatia in Rrogozhinë. Fans across the continent can tune in from 20:30 CEST (and 19:30 BST in the UK) to catch all the action live.

This opening fixture sets the tone for both sides as they look to establish early momentum in a tournament renowned for showcasing Europe’s brightest young talents. With both nations boasting impressive qualifying campaigns, anticipation is high for a fiercely competitive encounter.

How are both teams coming into this?

Italy U17 arrive in Albania off the back of a solid qualifying run, topping their group through a blend of tactical discipline and attacking flair. The Azzurrini will be eager to impress on matchday one, using the Arena Egnatia’s atmosphere to galvanize their youthful squad and lay down an early marker in Group A.

England U17 remain unbeaten throughout qualification, carrying a squad packed with Premier League academy talent. Key prospect Harry Gray of Leeds United headlines a group aiming to deliver England’s third European Under-17 Championship title. Backed by a well-drilled system and televised coverage on BBC Sport, the Young Lions will view this as a prime opportunity to assert their credentials at the continental stage.

Our forecast

While Italy’s defensive organisation is likely to keep England’s forwards in check early on, the Young Lions should edge possession thanks to their midfield quality and forward movement. Expect England to probe relentlessly, looking to unlock tight spaces and force the hosts into errors.

That said, a single mistake at the back could see Italy pounce on the counter. We’re backing a narrow England win in a match where both teams to score presents solid value. A 2-1 victory for England is our top scoreline prediction, combining margin of victory with goal distribution.