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Now then, this is a ‘proper tournament’ match. Two of Europe’s finest clashing in Group B of UEFA EURO 2024, as they did in the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2020, Round of 16 of UEFA EURO 2016, group stage and final of UEFA EURO 2012 and the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2008.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Thursday 20th June, 2024 - UK – 8:00pm / US EST – 3:00pm / US PST – 1:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – ITV / US – FOX
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – ITVX / US – VIX
SPAIN PREVIEW: PUTTING THE FOOT DOWN
The three-time European champions began their UEFA EURO 2024 campaign with what, on paper, would appear an emphatic and convincing demolition of a strong and experienced Croatian side. Winning 3-0 with all three goals in the first-half, Spain did play some good stuff but did also concede several big chances throughout the game.
La Furia Roja, under the management of Luis de la Fuente, play a more entertaining and aggressive style of football than under predecessor Luis Enrique with an intent on getting the ball forward a bit quicker using more direct methods and utilising the pace of both Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams out wide.
ITALY PREVIEW: OVERCOMING UNCERTAINTIES
The defending champions of the UEFA European Championships, Italy, began their tournament in the worst possible way against Albania on Saturday when they conceded after 23 seconds – the quickest goal in EURO history. However, they had turned the game round in 15 minutes and managed to hold off a direct and aggressive opposition.
The Azzurri are not the same vintage of Italy teams in the past but, quite simply, whenever Italy do go on to win silverware; they were never the pre-tournament favourites or one of the leading fancied sides. Luciano Spalletti is their biggest asset and will seek to lay down a marker against a fellow heavyweight of European football.
SPAIN TEAM NEWS: ALVARO MORATA A POSSIBLE DOUBT
Spain were without defender Aymeric Laporte for their opening game against Croatia and he remains a doubt for this one with Robin Le Normand and Nacho Fernandez likely to remain alongside each other, whilst captain and opening goal scorer from the other day Alvaro Morata is also a doubt but he is expected to remain in their line-up.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Unai Simon; Dani Carvajal, Le Normand, Nacho, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Alvaro Morata, Nico Williams
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Laporte (Injured), Alvaro Morata (Injured)
ITALY TEAM NEWS: LIKELY TO BE UNCHANGED
Midfield trio Nicolo Fagioli, Davide Frattesi and Nicolo Barella all missed training last week and were doubts for their game against Albania but the latter two both started and are expected to keep their place in the eleven, albeit Barella remains a doubt again.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco; Jorginho, Barella; Frattesi, Pellegrini, Chiesa; Scamacca
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Barella (Injured), Fagioli (Injured)
KEY STATS
SPAIN VS ITALY PREDICTION
This one could one or two ways. Spain and Italy are both progressive footballing sides and that could lead to a genuinely thrilling and entertaining encounter but it could also mean the two sides put too much focus on retaining possession and building-up from the back thus leading to the two teams cancelling each other out. The likelihood, though, is that Spain, who did show defensive lapses against the Croats and Italy, who will be very much on the front foot, produce something a little more entertaining than that with both teams scoring worth a bet.
SPAIN VS ITALY TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE