England Under-21s can continue their goal glut against Finland

England Under-21s face a crucial European Championship qualifier against Finland as they look to sustain their lead at the top of Group 1.

Gareth Southgate’s side are unbeaten in qualifying and top the group alongside Wales having played two games less than most of their rivals.

But the Young Lions can expect a tough battle against Finland – the only side to have taken points off England – after the 1-1 draw between the two teams in Tampere last September.

England lost Andre Wisdom to a red card that night but Southgate believes the result brought his players together as a squad.

The England Under-21 boss told the FA’s official website: “What we went through in Finland in September, going a goal down and having a player sent off, was a good experience for us early on to bond as a group.”

Southgate, four games into his reign as manager, was not wrong as England bounced back scoring nine goals in their next two qualifiers against San Marino and Lithuania.

And with attacking talent such as Premier League stars Ravel Morrison, Saido Berahino, Wilfried Zaha and Raheem Sterling at Southgate’s disposal it is hard to look past a convincing England win.

Tottenham midfielder Tom Carroll and Norwich wide man Nathan Redmond are both sidelined through injury, while skipper Wisdom is still suspended after seeing red in the reverse fixture.

But England still have more than enough fire-power for a wide victory margin and the 31/20 on the home side to record a win with over 3.5 goals to be scored in the match looks tempting.

Elsewhere, West Ham man Morrison was on target first for the Young Lions in the win over Lithuania and the in-form midfielder, who was involved in a row with fellow team-mate Zaha in the 5-0 victory, can repeat the trick against Finland.

The 20-year-old bagged a double at Portman Road and he is 5/1 with Ladbrokes to open the scoring again in Milton Keynes.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.