UEFA EURO 2020 – Spain vs Poland Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When does Spain vs Poland kick off? Saturday 19th June, 2021 – 20:00 (UK)
Where is Spain vs Poland being played? Estadio Olímpico de Sevilla, Sevilla
Where can I get tickets for Spain vs Poland? Click here for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Spain vs Poland on in the UK? BBC
Where can I stream Spain vs Poland in the UK? This match can be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All matches: Spain 8 wins, Poland 1 win, 1 draw
Last meeting: Spain 6-0 Poland (08/06/10)
THE LOWDOWN
SPAIN
- Spain started their tournament slowly despite a fairly fast-paced first-half performance against Sweden on Monday night. The surprise exclusion of Villarreal’s Gerard Moreno has been a decision heavily criticised but Luis Enrique will be encouraged by the amount of clear-cut chances created.
- Sergio Busquets remains highly doubtful after his isolation period comes to an end before this match but match fitness will be an issue so Rodri will continue at the base of a midfield that was key in putting together more passes in a match than has ever been done before in the history of the European Championships.
- The aforementioned Gerard is likely to be an incoming change for the Spanish whilst the rest of the side remains likely to be ‘as is’. Another option would be Mikel Oyarzabal coming in for Dani Olmo in the front three, too.
POLAND
- Another frustrating and disappointing start to a major tournament was how Poland began on Monday evening. Their 2-1 defeat to Slovakia in Saint-Petersburg saw Grzegorz Krychowiak sent off mid-way through the second-half so that will leave a huge whole in Paulo Sousa’s midfield. A position that could be crucial as Spain intend to pass and pass and pass in extreme heat.
- The lack of Arkadiusz Milik and Krzyzstof Piatek in the Polish squad, for different reasons, leaves Robert Lewandowski with even more responsibility than was anticipated. There was some decent combination play which led to Karol Linetty’s equaliser against Slovakia but not enough service was provided to the Bayern Munich striker.
- Paulo Sousa could give Kacper Kozlowski a start in Poland’s midfield as they look to fill the Krychowiak-shaped gap and that would mean Kozlowski would beat Jude Bellingham as the youngest player to ever feature at a European Championships.
THE TEAM NEWS
SPAIN
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Simon; Llorente, Laporte, P. Torres, Alba; Koke, Rodri, Pedri; F. Torres, Gerard, Oyarzabal
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Busquets (Isolating)
POLAND
PREDICTED XI (4-5-1): Szczesny; Rybus, Bednarek, Glik, Bereszynski; Zielinski, Moder, Klich, Linetty, Jozwiak; Lewandowski
UNAVAILABLE: Krychowiak (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- Spain have won eight of their previous ten international matches against Poland (W8 D1 L1) – Spain to win
- Poland have only failed to find the net in one of their last ten international matches – Poland to score
- Poland have conceded two goals or more in six of their last eight international matches – Spain to score over 1.5 goals
- Spain have kept four clean sheets in their last six international matches against Poland – Spain to keep a clean sheet
- Poland have conceded the first goal in five of their last eight international matches – Spain to score first
THE PREDICTION
The heat will play a factor, once again, in this match. It is lazy to suggest the Spanish will fancy it more due to being used to it but that is simply not the case. The likes of Aymeric Laporte and Mikel Oyarzabal are from the Basque country and the entire side will not have, or very rarely, played football in the middle of June in Seville. The Polish, of course, will also suffer from it and that could lead to the game potentially fizzling out or even starting slowly anyway. Spain, if they play like they did against Sweden, will win this match fairly comfortably.
Tip: SPAIN TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
For fixtures, results, TV schedule, top scorers and plenty more, visit our tournament home page here!
