The third and final round of group-stage matches in this year’s European Championships kicked off on Sunday evening with the remaining games set to take place up until the end of Wednesday.
Monday will host both matches from Group B with everything still to play for as top-of-the-group Spain face an Albania side who could qualify for the next round if they pick up a surprise victory, while Croatia must beat an Italy side who need just a point to almost certainly book their place in the knockout rounds. Read on as we take a look at these matches and pick out our top tips and booking codes:
Croatia vs Italy
These two teams come into this game with the opportunity to still advance through the group and take part in the first knockout round of the competition. Croatia would have to take home all three points if they are to have any chance of qualifying in either second or as one of the best third-placed sides, while just a point for Italy would almost certainly see them progress into the knockout rounds.
Croatia have looked extremely vulnerable in their opening two matches against Spain and Albania, losing 3-0 in their opening fixture followed by fighting back from 1-0 down against Albania to taking a 2-1 lead before they were pulled back level in the 95th minute, leaving them with one point from two games.
Italy, on the other hand, were extremely dominant in their opening fixture against Albania and despite a few scares throughout, including conceding the earliest goal ever in a European Championship, they cruised to a 2-1 victory. Their game against Spain was far from ideal as they managed just four shots compared to their opponents’ 20 and eventually lost 1-0 after an own-goal from Riccardo Calafiori.
While both sides have looked vulnerable at times throughout the tournament, we believe that Italy have shown more quality, especially in defensive areas, to help them go on and win this game.
Italy to win, 2.47
Albania vs Spain
Spain have been one of the top-performing sides in the tournament thus far, picking up six points from their two games all while never looking as if they are playing at 100%.
While they did concede plenty of chances to Croatia on the opening day they were able to secure a 3-0 victory with all three goals coming in the first half, and their performance against Italy in their second match was simply sensational. Despite only winning 1-0 thanks to an own goal from Calafiori, Spain dominated a talented Italy squad with 57% of the ball and 20 shots compared to their opponents four.
Spain’s ability to keep possession for long periods of time and carefully pick apart their opponents in technical attacking moves will cause plenty of harm to Albania, and we expect that Spain will win this one fairly comfortably.
Spain to win & over 1.5 goals, 1.73
Booking Codes:
6QW25V2, 6QW287L
1 Comment
by Tony
Spain 2 Albania 0 Italy 2 Croatia 1