Croatia – Spain : Preview & Prediction
We did not expect such a reaction from Spain in this Euro 2020. After the first two days, La Roja was particularly disappointing. Luis Enrique’s team had failed to do better than a draw against Sweden (0-0) and Poland (1-1). She was therefore back to the wall before the last day and a meeting against Slovakia. Thanks in particular to the return of Sergio Busquets in the starting XI, the Spanish selection showed a completely different face. Spain finally signed a very large success (5-0) and settled in second place in this pool. However, the task does not look easy for his round of 16. The Spanish players will meet Croatia on the side of Copenhagen to try to join the next round.
Their opponent of the day also showed two faces during the group stage. After a first defeat against England (1-0), Zlatko Dalic’s team failed to revive against the Czech Republic (1-1). It was not until the last day and a victory against Scotland (3-1), to finally qualify for the final phase of this Euro 2020. Croatia was notably able to count on a Luka Modric at the top of his game, to reach the round of 16 of the European competition. However, we are very far from the Croats we knew in 2018, when they made it to the World Cup final. Now, the Croatian selection seems to be at the end of the cycle and has notably seen the retirements of Mario Mandzukic or Ivan Rakitic.
It is therefore hard to believe that Croatia will join the quarter-finals of European competition. Particularly in difficulty against England when it entered the running (1-0), Zlatko Dalic’s team should encounter the same difficulties against another cador of European football. Especially since Spain has changed its face after its large victory against Slovakia (5-0). And we expect to see the same state of mind for the Spanish players, in this start of the final phase. As one of the main outsiders of European competition, La Roja seems to have finally launched into this Euro 2020. And it will aim for nothing other than qualification against the last finalist of the 2018 World Cup!
It should be noted that Spain has played all of its matches in Seville since the start of the event. For the first time in this Euro, La Roja will therefore not play at home, but in Denmark. However, we have the impression that this will not be a problem for the Spanish selection. Having not lost since October 2020, Spain seems to have all the cards in hand to qualify for the quarter-finals. Admittedly, Alvaro Morata is far from being reassuring since the start of European competition. Luis Enrique holds many other offensive weapons, with Gerard Moreno, Ferran Torres and Pablo Sarabia. Arguments which should allow La Roja to join the next round.
Spain have not lost for 11 matches.
Spain conceded only one goal during the group stage.
Spain have always had more than 60% possession of the ball in this Euro 2020.
Croatia have won only one of their last five matches.
Croatia have always conceded at least one goal during the group stage.
Croatia lost to Belgium, Portugal, France and England in recent months.
This round of 16 promises to be particularly attractive on paper. The two teams were very far from convincing during the group stage. However, they were able to raise their level of play on the last day, to obtain their tickets for the final phase of Euro 2020. Now, it is difficult not to give Spain an advantage for this round of 16. His last victory against Slovakia (5-0) seems to have launched Luis Enrique’s team. Victory for Spain!
Croatia – Spain : Betting Tips
Spain – Win Odds: 1.55
Both teams to score / YES – Odds: 1.70
Over 2.5 Goals – Odds: 1.70
