UEFA Nations League
Spain v Croatia: Big Match Preview
Spain return home for the first time since winning the World Cup as they host Croatia at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Tuesday evening. The fixture is scheduled to kick off at 7:45pm, with both nations looking to build on winning starts to their UEFA Nations League campaigns.
Football Writer, Racing Tipster
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Stephen WelchBig Match SpecialSpain v Croatia
Kick Off
Tuesday 29 September at 19:45
Ground
Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan
Competition
UEFA Nations League
La Roja opened Group A3 with an impressive 3-2 victory against England at Wembley on Saturday, coming from behind as Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal struck in the second half. Luis de la Fuente's side are now unbeaten in regulation time across 39 matches and have won each of their last three meetings with Croatia. Slaven Bilic also made a winning start to life back in charge of Croatia as Luka Modric and Marco Pasalic scored in a 2-1 victory away to the Czech Republic. However, Tuesday's fixture represents a significant step up against the reigning world and European champions.
Spain -1 at 8/15
Handicap
Spain have established themselves as the dominant force in international football and look capable of winning comfortably on home soil. De la Fuente's side have scored at least twice in five of their last eight matches and created 3.12 xG in Saturday's victory over England. Croatia have shown plenty of resilience but have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 matches and have struggled against elite opposition. Spain won the most recent meeting between these sides 3-0 at Euro 2024 and we're backing La Roja to cover a one goal handicap in Seville.
Mikel Oyarzabal at 19/20
Anytime Goalscorer
Mikel Oyarzabal continues to develop into one of Spain's most reliable attacking players and looks a strong selection to find the net once again. The Real Sociedad forward came off the bench to score the winner against England and has registered seven goals across Spain's last 10 competitive matches. Oyarzabal is expected to lead the line on Tuesday and should benefit from the creativity of Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Alex Baena. Against a Croatia side that has struggled to keep clean sheets, he looks good value to add another international goal.
Lamine Yamal - Over 3.5 Shots at 4/7
Player Shots
Lamine Yamal continues to operate as Spain's most dangerous attacking outlet and his recent shot volume makes him an appealing selection against Croatia. The Barcelona winger averaged 4.64 shots per 90 minutes in La Liga last season and also registered 11 attempts across two starts during Spain's World Cup qualifying campaign. Yamal scored inside two minutes against England on Saturday and should once again see plenty of the ball in advanced areas. Against a Croatia side expected to spend long periods defending, we're backing him to register at least four attempts.
Over 2.5 at 12/25
Match Goals Under/Over
Spain's recent matches have regularly produced goals and their attacking numbers suggest another high scoring contest could be on the cards. La Roja have scored at least twice in five of their last eight matches, whilst five of the last six meetings between Spain and Croatia have produced three or more goals. Croatia have also scored in 12 of their last 13 matches and showed their attacking threat again in Saturday's 2-1 victory in Prague. With Spain expected to dominate and Croatia capable of contributing, over 2.5 match goals looks a solid selection.
Spain 3-0 at 11/2
Correct Score
Spain have won seven of their previous 10 meetings with Croatia and arrive in Seville in outstanding form. De la Fuente's side have also kept seven clean sheets in their last nine matches and conceded just once throughout their World Cup campaign. Croatia should make this competitive for periods but Spain possess significantly more quality in the final third and look capable of taking control as the game develops. We're backing the hosts to record another convincing victory, making a 3-0 Spain win the logical pick in the correct score market.
Spain v Croatia Tips
Spain -1
Handicap
Mikel Oyarzabal
Anytime Goalscorer
Lamine Yamal - Over 3.5 Shots
Player Shots
Over 2.5
Match Goals Under/Over
Spain 3-0
Correct Score
Verdict
Home advantage should just about carry Spain through a tight contest. The scoreline call is Spain 3-0 Croatia, so there should be goals at both ends. Stephen Welch make Spain -1 at 8/15 the standout call on the card.