Spain vs Croatia Prediction & Betting Tips (15 June)

Author of a historic treble with Euro 2008 and 2012 and the World Cup in 2010, Spain left its mark on a generation but has since struggled to regain its place at the top of world football. Having been rebuilding for a few years now, La Roja still got its grip on the Nations League in June 2023 at the expense of... Croatia after a penalty shootout. La Roja has yet to confirm its renewed energy and its return to the forefront. During the qualifying phase, La Roja won 7 of its 8 matches and therefore took 1st place in its group ahead of Scotland and Norway with an impressive ratio of 25 goals scored for only 5 conceded. On the other hand, Luis de la Fuente's men did not convince last March by losing to Colombia 0-1 then drawing against Brazil at the Santiago Berbabéu 3-3. Before entering the competition at the Euro, they easily won against Andorra 5-0 and Northern Ireland 5-1, showing a nice rise in power.

Croatia is often underestimated in major competitions and yet she undoubtedly deserves much more recognition. Already, as announced a little above, the Croatians were finalists in the last edition of the Nations League. In addition, the Checkerboard selection took 3rd place in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after taking out Brazil in the quarter-final in particular. Clearly, Zlatko Dalic's men form a formidable team capable of going very far in each tournament in which it participates. During the qualifiers, the Vatreni took 2nd place in their group behind Turkey despite their last two successes against Latvia 0-2 and against Armenia 1-0. In March, the 2018 world vice champions were held by Tunisia 0-0 before dominating Egypt 2-4. At the beginning of June, they began their preparation for the Euro by logically taking over North Macedonia 3-0 before knocking down one of the favorites for the Euro, Portugal 1-2, last week.

For this European campaign, La Roja will be forced to evolve without the stubborn Gavi (ruptured cruciate ligaments with the selection in October 2023) who is gradually returning to physical exercises in his club. He was joined on the flank by the excellent Isco (Bétis Sevilla) who had returned to the top level at club before suffering a fractured fibula a few weeks ago. In addition, full-backs Gaya (Valencia) and Baldé (Barcelona) are also injured while boys like Pau Torres (Aston Villa), Sancet (Bilbao), Gerard Moreno (Villarreal) and Sarabia (Wolverhampton) have not been called up . Present in an expanded list, defender Cubarsi (Barcelona) and midfielders Aleix Garcia (Girona) and Llorente (Atlético Madrid) are ultimately absent for this Euro. However, La Roja can count on most of its executives like goalkeeper Unai Simon (Bilbao), defenders Carvajal (Real Madrid), Laporte (Al-Nassr), Le Normand (Real Sociedad) and Nacho (Real Madrid ), and midfielders Rodri (Manchester City), Fabian Ruiz (PSG), Merino (Real Sociedad) and Pedri (Barcelona). Up front, center forward and captain Morata (Atlético Madrid, 35 sels in 73 sels) remains the top scorer of this team, quite far ahead of Ferran Torres (Barcelona, ​​41 sels, 19 goals) and Dani Olmo (Leipzig, 33 sels, 8 goals) who did not play a single minute during preparation. The Colchonero also scored last week against Northern Ireland. Also pay attention to the Basque Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad, 30 sels, 11 goals), author of a hat-trick in preparation against Andorra and another goal against the Northern Irish. Barcelona's great hope Lamine Yamal (2 goals in 7 seasons) is present and probably a starter, as is the excellent left wing Grimaldo, author of an incredible season with Bayer Leverkusen this year (10 goals, 13 assists in the Bundesliga) . The latest news is that central Laporte is suffering from muscular discomfort (absent from Thursday's session).

For Croatia, we note the non-calls of defenders Caleta-Car (Lyon) and Barisic (Rangers), midfielder Jakic ( Augsburg) and winger Brekalo (Hadjuk Split). The checkered selection is still led by its captain Luka Modric (Real Madrid, 175 sels, 25 goals) who, at 38, should play his last major tournament. He will, as always, be supported by his faithful lieutenants Kovacic (Manchester City) and Brozovic (Al Nassr) while defender Vida (AEK Athens, 105 sel) and Ivan Perisic (Hajduk Split, 131 sel, 33 goals) will not abdicate not. Ditto for the quite prolific Kramaric (93 caps, 28 goals). Center forward Petkovic (Dinamo Zagreb, 38 selections, 11 goals) is also approaching thirty. It is therefore a fairly aging group with which the Vatreni present themselves for this Euro. The young generation of this team is represented by the very good defender Gvardiol (Manchester City) and by the former Rennais Majer (Wolfsburg). A quick word regarding the possible holder of the center forward position Ante Budimir, author of a prolific season with Osasuna in La Liga (17 goals).