Euro U19 Championship: Portugal to star as goals flow

Man City's Marco Lopes has scored two goals in his two starts

Michael Lintorn expects both European U19 Championship semi-finals to produce in the entertainment stakes...

The group stage of the 2014 European U19 Championship whittled the field from eight to four and prompted some high-profile casualties.

Hosts Hungary U19 and debutants Israel U19 both failed to map a route out of Group A, while Ukraine U19 were unfortunate to miss out in Group B after a fierce start, following Bulgaria U19 - who didn't score a single goal - in booking an early flight home.

The weeding-out process ensured that the final four are of the highest calibre though, with pre-tournament fancies Germany U19 and Portugal U19 joined by holders Serbia U19 and goal-hungry Austria U19. Can either of those prevent the anticipated Germany-Portugal final? Let's assess...

Germany U19 v Austria U19
Monday, 17:00
Live on British Eurosport 2

Match Odds: Germany U19 1.558/15, Austria U19 7.06/1, The Draw 4.67/2

Germany U19 made reasonably serene progress through the slightly trickier Group B, finding the going tough against Serbia U19 in the second game - twice coming from behind - but recovering to comfortably conquer Ukraine U19 in what could have been a troublesome qualification decider.

Though they shut out Bulgaria U19 and Ukraine U19, it is telling that they leaked twice to strongest opponents Serbia U19. Austria U19 netted in each of their group ties - three against Hungary U19 and Israel U19 and once past the group stage's top performers Portugal U19 - to add to their 17 strikes in six qualifiers. In short, Germany U19 can't rely on a clean sheet to see them through.

Recommended Bet: Back both teams to score @ 1.75/7

Portugal U19 v Serbia U19
Monday, 20:00
Live on British Eurosport

Match Odds: Portugal U19 1.695/7, Serbia U19 5.79/2, The Draw 4.216/5

Portugal U19 were the most prolific side in qualifying, notching 21 times in six matches, and while it often transpires that such successes aren't replicated in the competition proper, they have been brilliant so far, firing 11 times to earn victories in each of their three Group A encounters.

They aren't quite so admirable when it comes to the defensive arts, their sole clean sheet arriving at the expense of toothless Bulgaria U19, meaning that they have delivered just two in their last seven competitive fixtures. That ratio is likely to suffer further against a Serbia U19 outfit who scored twice past Germany U19.

Recommended Bet: Back over 2.5 goals @ 1.715/7