Spain Preview & Form
Spain will face Croatia in the opening match of Group B at the 2024 UEFA European Championship, set to take place on June 15th at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. As La Furia Roja enters the Euro tournament, they are widely regarded as the favorites to win Group B. This status is well-earned, given their current form.
Spain's recent performance has been remarkable, with only one loss in their last 12 matches across all competitions, including friendly matches. This impressive record supports their reputation as one of the top contenders to clinch this year's European Championship.
Their historic success in the tournament further solidifies Spain's position as a formidable force. Spain has lifted the Euro trophy three times, and their present form suggests they are keen to add another to their impressive collection.
In recent friendlies leading up to Euro 2024, Spain recorded two victories, one draw, and a single loss. Their only defeat came in a narrow 1-0 loss to Colombia. They also played in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Brazil, followed by decisive victories with a 5-0 win over Andorra and a 5-1 win over Northern Ireland.
Spain's last six matches saw them net a total of 19 goals, showcasing their potent attacking prowess. They will aim to maintain this momentum throughout the tournament.
Croatia Preview & Form
Croatia enters Euro 2024 buoyed by 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, edging out Wales.
While Croatia has not been as prolific in the European Championships as they have been in the World Cup, their best results in the Euros saw them reach the quarterfinals in 1996 and 2008. Nevertheless, their recent form suggests they could be strong contenders in this tournament.
As part of their preparation for the European Championship, Croatia notched a series of impressive victories. They defeated Tunisia on penalties, and followed up with wins against Egypt (4-2) and North Macedonia (3-0). In their most recent match, Croatia secured a 2-1 victory against Portugal, one of the favorites for the European tournament. These results highlight Croatia's serious intentions for the competition.
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).
Spain vs Croatia Team News
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).
Spain vs Croatia H2H Record (Last Five Games)
The last five encounters between these two sides have been closely contested. One notable recent match saw Spain win against Croatia after penalties, indicating how evenly matched these teams can be.
Spain vs Croatia Prediction & Betting Tips
Given the current form of both teams, a closely fought match with over 2.5 goals is expected. Croatia remains 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 promise an exciting and high-stakes encounter between two teams determined to make a strong start to their Euro 2024 campaign.