On Friday evening, England’s Young Lions will journey to Chisinau’s Zimbru Stadium to face the spirited Moldova U-21 team. Currently, Moldova sits fourth in Group D, with England holding a precarious third place—a position they are eager to maintain. It’s worth noting that playful banter has already emerged among the squad, including jokes about who forgot their toothbrush for the long trip (spoiler alert: it wasn’t the coach).
Moldova’s Journey in U-21 Qualifiers
Moldova entered this qualifying cycle as true underdogs. Since their debut in U-21 European qualifiers in 1996, they have yet to reach the final tournament and have recorded no more than three wins in any campaign over the past two decades. In stark contrast, England arrives as the clear favorites. The Young Lions are chasing a remarkable third consecutive U-21 Euros title after triumphing over Germany in the 2025 final in Bratislava. Notably, England has never lost in their five previous meetings with Moldova at this level.
Betting Odds to Consider
For those interested in placing bets, here’s a quick overview of the best available odds:
- Betfred: Moldova 29/1, Draw 12/1, England 1/1.03 (up to £50 bonus)
- William Hill: Moldova 41/1, Draw 10/1, England 1/1.06 (up to £40 bonus)
- Betway: Moldova 34/1, Draw 13/1, England 1/1.04 (up to €100 bonus)
- NetBet: Moldova 25/1, Draw 11.5/1, England 1/1.01 (up to £25 bonus)
- Bwin: Moldova 34/1, Draw 14/1, England 1/1.05 (up to £20 bonus)
Our own projections give Moldova approximately a 14% chance of pulling off a surprise (around 80/1), a draw at 21% (roughly 14/1), and England a strong 65% chance of victory (estimated at 1.07 in fractional terms). Searching for slightly better odds on England or potential value in a surprise Moldova win could yield extra returns.
Recent Performance
Formally, Moldova kicked off their qualifying campaign with a solid 3-0 victory over Andorra. However, they have since faced two narrow defeats, losing 2-1 to Ireland and 3-2 to Slovakia. Home games have not been a safe haven either; their only victory in the last nine matches at home came in that opening match. Nevertheless, they have scored six goals in this qualifying mini-league, indicating they will not sit back.
In contrast, England’s recent statistics resemble a standout video game performance: they netted 41 goals in the last Euros qualifying campaign. They began this cycle with a convincing 2-0 win away at Kazakhstan and boast an impressive record of 50 wins from their last 60 qualifying matches since 2015, with just two losses and eight draws. Excluding the 2025 tournament itself, they have lost only one of their last seven away matches, securing three victories and three draws while achieving four clean sheets.
Key Players to Watch
Moldova will rely on strikers like Vladislav Costin, who has scored four goals in six U-21 appearances (three in this qualifying round) and has contributed to FC Bălți at club level. Coach Serghei Cebotari may consider freshening up his attack, potentially replacing one of the starters from the recent match against Slovakia.
For England, there’s a chance we could see Fulham’s Josh King making his debut after a strong season start. Kellen Fisher from Norwich has joined the squad after an injury withdrawal, and Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly has transitioned to the senior team. Jobe Bellingham might also be looking to make an impact after a quiet spell at Dortmund but had a bright showing against Kazakhstan.
Five Key Statistics
1. Every Moldova fixture to date has seen over 2.5 goals scored.
2. They have conceded two or more goals in four of their last five matches.
3. England remains unbeaten in five U-21 encounters with Moldova.
4. The Young Lions have scored two or more goals in each of their last four matches.
5. Seven of England’s last ten games have featured at least three goals.
Prediction
As for predictions, we believe England will hold the lead at half-time and maintain their momentum in the second half. Given Moldova’s ability to find the net, we anticipate both teams scoring. Our forecast: England U-21 to lead at half-time and win at full-time, with both teams on the scoresheet—a promising bet at around 3.1. Plan your wagers wisely, and remember: even in Chisinau, a thrilling finish is just around the corner, prompting bookmakers to reach for their calculators.