Euro 2024: Spain v Croatia - Match Preview & Odds
You’ll find a comprehensive match preview that includes form, team news and betting tips as well as the best pre-match odds and offers
Spain and Croatia meet in Berlin on Saturday in the first Group B fixture at the European Championships. As we prepare for a meeting between these two European heavyweights, here at betting.bet you’ll find a comprehensive match preview that includes form, team news and betting tips as well as the best pre-match odds and offers from our partners at Unibet.
Form
Saturday’s Euro 2024 fixture between Spain and Croatia is a repeat of last summer’s UEFA Nations League final. Spain triumphed on penalties and have since reeled off six straight wins in competitive matches. Spain did falter in their international friendly double-header in March, losing 1-0 to Colombia before being held to a 3-3 draw to Brazil. However, the three-time European champions have bounced back emphatically this month and head into Euro 2024 on the back of convincing wins over Andorra (5-0) and Northern Ireland (5-1).
Croatia limped over the line in qualification as back-to-back defeats to Turkey (1-0) and Wales (2-1) last October threatened to derail their bid to qualify for a sixth straight European Championships. However, they have since bounced back to earn five wins and one draw from their subsequent six matches. The 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists warmed up for this summer’s tournament with impressive friendly wins over North Macedonia (3-0) and Portugal (2-1) earlier this month.
Spain v Croatia: Head-to-Head
Spain holds a slight edge in head-to-head matches against an independent Croatia winning six of their past ten meetings. As previously mentioned, the two nations met in the final of the UEFA Nations League almost a year to the day. The final in Rotterdam ended goalless after extra-time with Spain triumphing on penalties.
Prior to that cagey UEFA Nations League final twelve months ago, this fixture had regularly served up its fair share of goals. The three matches played between Spain and Croatia before that meeting in Rotterdam had produced a total of 19 goals.
Betting Tips
Real Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal has been in excellent form for Spain this month, scoring four times in their two recent friendly internationals. However, in the goalscorer markets, Alvaro Morata remains the bookies’ favourite. Morata enjoyed an excellent domestic season at Atletico Madrid, netting 15 times in 32 La Liga matches and he has notched up an impressive 35 goals in 73 internationals. Morata has been severely overlooked in the Golden Boot market and is currently available at a huge 25/1 to claim this accolade. Below are several goalscorer markets where you should consider the Spanish captain.
| Alvaro Morata to score | Odds |
|---|---|
| To score at any time | 9/4 |
| First goalscorer | 24/5 |
| To score 2 or more | 12/1 |
| To score during the first half | 9/2 |
| To score from inside the six-yard box | 8/1 |
Holders Italy are struggling with injuries whilst Albania are probably not good enough to trouble Spain or Croatia. Therefore, this match could potentially decide the group winner. Spain are the 4/5 favourites in that particular market and we’re predicting a Spain win on Saturday. Despite drawing 0-0 in the Nations League, we’re hopefully optimistic about seeing a significant number of goals on Saturday and over 2.5 match goals looks far to big a price to turn down at 11/10.
Match Odds
| Spain | Draw | Croatia |
|---|---|---|
| 10/11 | 23/10 | 7/2 |
Predicted Match Result: Spain 3-1 Croatia (17/1)
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