Spain vs England Preview
The Euro 2024 final is right around the corner as two teams battle it out for the European crown. Spain vs England is the biggest soccer game of the summer and kick-off is on July 14 at 8:00 pm. The Spanish looked like the most dangerous team in the tournament, whereas England finally found their groove in the knockout stage of the Euros.
Our Euro 2024 final prediction was for Germany to face England, as nobody expected the Spanish team to make it this far. However, they knocked out the host nation and now enter the final as the favourites. Will this underdog status suit England, as they failed to rise to the occasion at the last Euro final? Or is the trophy returning to Spain for the first time since 2012?
Spain vs England Predictions
Prediction: Spain 1-1 England (England to win 2-1 in extra time)
Anything can happen in a final, but we expect this match to be less exciting than the semifinals. Spain is the better team heading into the match, but this England side has shown real grit and determination. We expect Spain to take the lead as they catch the opposition asleep in the opening exchanges. England will come back and equalise before halftime and score another late winner to avoid a penalty shootout.
With silverware on the line, it will be interesting to see how the teams approach the first 45 minutes. Against the Dutch, England came out and pressed the opposition, forcing mistakes and creating chances. This tactic against Spain might be the only way to stop them from dictating the game. However, if anyone can pass around a press, it’s the Spanish.
We think both teams will score in the first half and look to defend a level game in the second. With so much on the line, neither side will want to lose. Our Euro 2024 prediction for this match is for extra time.
Spain has an incredible team, but with Dani Olmo starting, they lack a real impact player. We have not seen many impact players in the England team throughout the tournament until the last game. Ollie Watkins showed his class when he ran in behind and squeezed a shot away out of nothing. This could be a battle of the benches with extra time looking likely.
Spain and England conceded early goals in the first ten minutes of the last round. The Spanish hit back with two goals within 15 minutes. They looked dominant for most of the first half and defended valiantly against the French. France was on top for the second half, but their troubles in front of goal were apparent. Their created chances were wasted, frequently failing to hit the target.
We expect an exciting start to the game as Spain scores first and controls the opening half an hour. Their intense style of pressing means England won’t get a sniff until the player’s tyre for the final 15 minutes of the half. This is where the English pressure will eventually unlock a stubborn defence. A defensive mistake is the most likely avenue for England. Perhaps Marc Cucurella might leave a foot in against Bukayo Saka.
In the game against the Netherlands, we predicted it would go to penalties for England to win the game. That is because we did not expect Southgate to take off Harry Kane before the 90th minute. Kane is a fantastic player, but he has looked leggy all tournament. He should start against Spain, but we expect Watkins to come on in the 75th minute and change the game. If Southgate makes this substitution again, look at the live betting markets for a wager on England to avoid extra time.
Spain vs England Betting Tips
As it’s the final of Euro 2024, expect the odds to fluctuate drastically before and during the game. Currently, there is a clear favourite in this game, with a draw as the next most likely option. Betting on Spain to win is worth 6/4 at Novibet. That means a €10 wager will yield €25 if the Spanish team can win within regular time. A draw is worth 9/5, which matches our score prediction.
That means England are the underdogs heading into this game, and that suits them. Betting on England to win Euro 2024 is worth 14/5, which will turn your ten-euro stake into €38. You can secure different odds depending on the market you choose. If you select England to win in extra time, you can enjoy odds worth 11/1. A team to win by a penalty shootout is worth 7/1 at our online sports betting site. With such profitable returns, it makes sense to hedge your bets.
If you don’t 100% agree with our prediction, there are plenty of Euro 2024 betting options available. For example, you can bet on the teams deciding the game in extra time. The odds for a winning goal in extra time is 9/2, which means you can secure $55 from a $10 stake. This wager is a winner whether England or Spain score the decisive goal.
As this is a cup final, there are even more soccer markets available. If you are looking to make multiple bets during this match, one of the best options is in the specials section. You can bet on the first event of the game, whether it will be a throw-in, free kick, goal kick, or corner kick. This is a superb option as the returns are excellent and you can get a payout inside the first 60 seconds.
Another profitable betting option is the over/under. Betting on the over/under has been a valuable market throughout the tournament, and we have set the line at 1.5. As this is a cup final, you can see the teams entering 0-0 after 90 minutes instead of our prediction of 1-1. Choosing the over is worth 8/15, which would return €15.30 from a ten-euro bet. The under is appealing at 6/4, but it would require a nervy start and end to the game.
Spain vs England Key Stats and Head-To-Head
While you would assume Spain has the better results against England over the past 30 years, it’s dead even. Since 1996, England and Spain have won three matches with one fixture ending as a draw. The two most recent matches came in the UEFA Nations League in 2018. England lost the round one game at home after scoring first. Spain immediately responded and scored two in the first half. They led for the rest of the match and never looked likely to lose.
In the reverse of this fixture, England travelled to Seville for an important match in Spain. England came out of the traps determined to right some wrongs, and that is exactly what happened. Marcus Rashford played Sterling past a poor Spanish defensive line to rifle home the lead after 16 minutes. Sterling lashed the ball into the top left corner.
Harry Kane turned provider inside the hour mark with a delightful ball to Rashford who made no mistake despite the pressure from Jonny Otto. The first-half romp was complete when Kane squared it to an unmarked Sterling to complete a 3-0 first half from six yards out.
Spain came back inside the hour mark with a header from a corner. Paco Alcácer was unmarked at the near post and his header looped over Jordan Pickford into the far corner. Pickford narrowly avoided an absolute howler as he dwelled on the ball for too long. He attempted to turn the onrushing striker but got it completely wrong, sending Rodrigo through to an empty net. Somehow the England goalie recovered and blocked a certain goal with still half an hour to play. Spain was incensed but failed to create another chance until the 97th minute. Sergio Ramos scored a late consolation header as he slipped his markers.
This will be a spicy affair if the last meeting is anything to off. Both sides have changed drastically since 2018, with only four players from both starting 11s making appearances at Euro 2024. Spain has a much better mix of youth and experience in their team and the young England side has gained a lot of experience since then.
The fundamental difference between these teams is England was in the Euro final last time around in 2021. They have that gut-wrenching loss to draw inspiration from. Spain has been well off their best since 2012 but could take the opportunity away from England with their superior football. Before the tournament started, England was one of the favourites for anyone betting on the Euro 2024 winner. Now Spain has that accolade, but could it be a bad omen?
As a neutral, this final has everything you want. Four of the best young wingers in football will go head-to-head on the world stage. Lamine Yamal has already made history with his wonder goal against France. Phil Foden nearly replicated the feat with an equally impressive strike against the Dutch, but the post came to Koeman’s rescue. Nico Williams has fantastic pace and dazzling feet, but Bukayo Saka has proven time and time again why he starts for England. He can beat players, score from outside the box, and set up his team.
Looking at the midfield, Spain will know all about Jude Bellingham and the talent he possesses. Dani Olmo has been a standout player in this tournament and should offset the Real Madrid superstar. Álvaro Morata and Harry Kane have both looked weak in the competition. However, Morata might miss the final given the incident with a security guard during the celebrations against France. For those who have not seen it, check the clip below. Either way, we are in for a cracking Euro 2024 cup final.
Oh dear 😬
It appears a photographer slipped into Alvaro Morata and caught his knee in the post-match celebrations.#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #ESPFRA pic.twitter.com/6hTVEuM5uX
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 9, 2024
Spain Team News and Predicted Lineup
Spain had three players miss the semifinal, Pedri, Dani Carvajal, and Robin Le Normand. Pedri will miss the Euro 2024 final, but Carvajal and Le Normand will return after serving one-match suspensions. Jesus Navas will most likely join Navas on the injury list, having made way with an issue against France. Minus Pedri, we are likely to see a full-strength Spain this Sunday.
However, there is one issue that Luis De La Fuente faces, Morata. The striker was celebrating with the team after beating France when a steward came crashing in and jarred the Atletico Madrid’s player knee. It could be a straight swap for Mikel Oyarzabal, but there is no way of knowing the seriousness of his injury just yet.
- Predicted Lineup: U. Simón, M. Cucurella, A. Laporte, R. Le Normand, D. Carvajal, F. Ruiz, Rodri, N. Williams. D. Olmo, L. Yamal, and A. Morata.
England Team News and Predicted Lineup
England manager Gareth Southgate shocked us by sticking with a back three against the Dutch. Playing three centre-backs affords his team a lot more space and options when on the ball. He has no injuries or suspensions to worry about and will probably field the same team as the previous round.
The only change we predict he will make is Luke Shaw, for Keiran Trippier. However, he could start the Newcastle player and swap him at halftime, like he did against the Netherlands.
- Predicted Lineup: J. Pickford, K. Walker, J. Stones, M. Guéhi, B. Saka, K. Mainoo, D. Rice, K. Trippier, P. Foden, J Bellingham, and H. Kane.
