U20 Elite League Preview: Germany vs. England

Germany U20 and their England counterpart will end their season’s first international break with a head-to-head game on Saturday in La Nucia, Spain. Both teams started their U20 Elite League campaigns with wins over France and Italy.

Hoffenheim’s Max Moerstedt, who replaced the now U21 international Noah Darvich as the team’s captain, scored three goals in those two games for Germany U20. Hannes Wolf’s side is yet to concede a goal this term after finishing last season’s competition in second place.

Moerstedt and Mirza Catovic were the only players who started both games for Germany. With the inclusion of the former AC Milan defender David Odogu, Bremen’s up-and-coming center-back Mick Schmetgens and HSV’s striker Otto Stange, the U20 side still has several prospects in their ranks.

Meanwhile, Köln’s Mikey Moore captained England U20 in his first two appearances at this stage. The mazy attacker also scored in both matches against Italy and France. England sent Harrison Armstrong and Trey Nyoni – who play for Merseyside clubs Everton and Liverpool, respectively – to the U21 squad after they played the opening matchday of the U20 Elite League.

Germany U20 are currently on a six-game winning streak, but they have lost to England in each of the last five head-to-head meetings. Germany’s last win in this fixture came in 2017, with the current Freiburg star Maximilian Eggestein scoring a first-half brace.

Predicted Lineups

Germany U20: Hellstern; Kabar, Schmetgens, Odogu, Bulut; Moreira, Mamuzah Lum, Pinto Pedrosa, Alfa-Ruprecht; Moerstedt ©, Stange

England U20: Whatmuff; Amass, Heaven, Noble, Sidibe; Fletcher, Rigg; Derry, Moore ©, Lacey; Mheuka