Wednesday’s football tips: Portugal skipper Araujo 13/8 to kick off Under-21s Euros with a goal

The UEFA Under-21 championship gets underway today and hosts Slovakia are in at the deep end with a daunting opener against Spain.

The Spanish finished runners-up to England in the last finals but are hampered by the fact top young talents such as Yamine Lamal, Dean Huijsen and Pau Cubarsi are already in the senior side.

That will give Slovakia hope as they kick off the tournament in front of a partisan crowd in Bratislava but La Rioja still have team packed with prodigious players.

Slovakia U21s vs Spain U21s top betting tips

These nations faced off in qualifiers for the last Under-21s Euros and both games were thrillers, with Spain winning 3-2 each time. That suggests tonight's clash could be cracker. although the opening group fixture can often be cagey.

BoyleSports price BTTS at just 6/10 but adding on over 2.5 goals boosts the odds to 20/23. The same firm offer the same odds on most goals coming after the interval.

Mateo Joseph has an impressive scoring record at Under-21 level, netting seven times in 10 caps. The Leeds striker heads to the finals on a high after winning promotion to the Premier League but is just 4/6 with Bet365 for anytime scorer.

There's more value backing a Slovakian scorer and Adrian Kapralik, who has eight goals for the Under-21s, is 9/2 to find the net.

Italy U21s vs Romania U21s

The other game in Group A sees Italy take on Romania and the bookies make the Azzurri heavy favourites to start with a win in Trnava.

Like Spain, the Italians have won this tournament five times so they have plenty of pedigree and will be looking to go far.

BoyleSports price them at just 8/15 for a win but you can boost the odds to 6/4 by backing them to be winning at half-time and full-time.

The Romanians won't be pushovers though and have enough attacking talent to ask a few questions of Italy's defence.

They only drew a blank in one of their qualifiers so BTTS looks a decent option here at 20/23 with BoyleSports. Adding on over 2.5 goals increases the price to 6/4.

Portugal U21s vs France U21s

There's a big game to kick off Group C as Portugal and France go head to head in Trencin, with both teams looking to lay down a marker.

Poland and Georgia make up the rest of the section so it would be a surprise if Portugal and France failed to reach the quarter-finals.

The group winner should have an easier tie in the last eight so both managers will be looking to claim all three points tonight.

This should be a close one between two evenly matched sides and the half-time draw looks good at 23/20 with BoyleSports as they size each other up.

Portugal will look to skipper Henrique Araujo for inspiration and he's one of the most experienced players at the finals, making 29 appearances at Under-21 level. He has netted 11 times in those games so could be worth a punt at 13/8 for anytime scorer with Bet365.

Wednesday's Super Singles

• Most goals second half in Slovakia v Spain 20/23 BoyleSports
• BTTS and over 2.5 goals in Italy v Romania 6/4 BoyleSports
• Henrique Araujo to score 13/8 Bet365

Upcoming match previews and betting tips

• Wed 17:00 Slovakia U21 vs Spain U21
• Wed 20:00 Italy U21 vs Romania U21
• Wed 20:00 Portugal U21 vs France U21
• Wed 20:00 Poland U21 vs Georgia U21 
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• Midweek Goals Accumulator Tips: Young Lions to roar in 11/2 Acca

Racing tips

Rizzel is focusing on the meeting at Yarmouth today and has picked out two horses to watch.

• Wednesday’s Racing Tips – A third C&D win at Yarmouth is on the horizon for Royal Velvet

As always, leave your own comments and tips below.

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