Spain Preview & Form
Spain is set to face Croatia in the opening match of Group B at the 2024 UEFA European Championship. This highly anticipated match will take place on June 15th at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Entering the tournament as favorites to win Group B, La Furia Roja has exhibited a form that justifies their status.
Spain has suffered just a single loss in their last 12 matches across all competitions, a testament to their consistency and strength. This impressive record includes a mix of competitive and friendly matches, illustrating their robust performance. Such form puts them among the top contenders for this year’s European Championship.
Historically, Spain has been a dominant force in the European Championship, having won the tournament three times. This legacy, combined with their current form, firmly establishes them as formidable contenders. In their recent friendlies ahead of Euro 2024, Spain recorded two victories, one draw, and one loss.
Recent Performances
Spain's recent performances include a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia, a thrilling 3-3 draw against Brazil, a commanding 5-0 win over Andorra, and an impressive 5-1 victory over Northern Ireland. In their last six matches, Spain has scored 19 goals, showcasing their potent attacking prowess. Maintaining this offensive firepower throughout the European Championship will be crucial for their success.
Croatia Preview & Form
Croatia enters Euro 2024 on a high note, riding a six-match winning streak. The Croatian national team secured their spot in the tournament by finishing second in Group D of the qualification standings with 16 points, finishing ahead of Wales.
While Croatia has not achieved the same level of success in the European Championships as they have in the World Cup, their potential should not be underestimated. Their best results in the Euros came when they reached the quarterfinals in 1996 and 2008. However, their recent form and string of impressive victories indicate they are well-prepared for the challenge ahead.
Recent Performances
As part of their preparation for the European Championship, Croatia defeated Tunisia on penalties, followed by wins against Egypt (4-2) and North Macedonia (3-0). Most recently, they secured a 2-1 victory against Portugal, one of the favorites for the European tournament. These results demonstrate Croatia’s capability to compete at the highest level.
Spain vs. Croatia: Starting Lineups
Here are the probable lineups for both teams:
Spain Probable Lineup: Unai Simon (GK), Jose Gaya (DF), Aymeric Laporte (DF), Robin Le Normand (DF), Dani Carvajal (DF), Pedri (MF), Rodri (MF), Fabian Ruiz (MF), Nico Williams (FW), Alvaro Morata (FW), Ferran Torres (FW)
Croatia Probable Lineup: Dominik Livakovic (GK), Borna Sosa (DF), Josko Gvardiol (DF), Josip Sutalo (DF), Josip Stanisic (DF), Luka Modric (MF), Marcelo Brozovic (MF), Mateo Kovacic (MF), Luka Ivanusec (FW), Ante Budimir (FW), Andrej Kramaric (FW)
Team Squads
Spain Euro 2024 Squad:
Goalkeepers: David Raya (Arsenal), Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao).
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr), Nacho (Real Madrid), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao).
Midfielders: Alex Baena (Villarreal), Fermin Lopez (Barcelona), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Pedri (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad).
Forwards: Joselu (Real Madrid), Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ayoze Perez (Real Betis), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona).
Croatia Euro 2024 Squad:
Goalkeepers: Ivica Ivusic (Paphos), Nediljko Labrovic (Rijeka), Dominik Livakovic (Fenerbahce).
Defenders: Martin Erlic (Sassuolo), Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Josip Juranovic (Union Berlin), Marin Pongracic (Lecce), Borna Sosa (Ajax), Josip Stanisic (Bayer Leverkusen), Josip Sutalo (Ajax), Domagoj Vida (AEK Athens).
Midfielders: Martin Baturina (Dinamo Zagreb), Marcelo Brozovic (Al Nassr), Luka Ivanusec (Feyenoord), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), Lovro Majer (Wolfsburg), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Luka Sucic (RB Salzburg), Nikola Vlasic (Torino).
Forwards: Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Marco Pasalic (Rijeka), Ivan Perisic (Hajduk Split), Bruno Petkovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Marko Pjaca (Rijeka).
Head-to-Head Record
The last five encounters between Spain and Croatia have been closely contested. A notable recent match saw Spain win against Croatia after penalties, indicating the evenly matched nature of these teams. Fans can expect another thrilling contest given their competitive history.
Prediction & Betting Tips
Given the current form of both teams, this opening match promises to be a closely fought battle with over 2.5 goals likely. Croatia has been unbeaten in their last five matches with four wins and one draw, while Spain has lost only once in their last 12 matches. These statistics suggest an exciting and high-stakes encounter between two teams determined to make a strong start to their Euro 2024 campaign.