The top two of Group B, Spain and Italy lock horns with each other for an intriguing battle to book a place in the Euro 2024 Round of 16 stage.
SPN vs ITA Match Details
Date: Thursday, 20 June 2024 / Friday, 21 June 2024
Time: 21:00 (CET), 00:30 (IST)
Venue: Veltins - Arena, Gelsenkirchen
SPN vs ITA Match Preview
Spain got Euro 2024 off to a splendid start smashing Croatia by 3-0 with all goals scored in the first half. Alvaro Morata, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Carvajal, the oldest Spanish scorer in the Euros, got themselves on the scoresheet with 16-year-old Lamine Yamal becoming the youngest to feature and assist a goal in the competition's history. Unai Simon also saved a penalty from Bruno Petkovic later in the match to keep La Roja’s win perfect. Fuente’s side has almost taken an early step toward knockout qualification with such a strong start but will face the holders Italy in the second group game. Knocked out by the Azzurri on penalties in Euro 2020, Spain will be seeking revenge carrying an unbeaten run in 10 of the last 11 competitive games under the present boss. The inspiration for the 4-0 record win in the 2012 final is always there while La Roja also beat Italy in consecutive Nations League semi-finals. However, even playing out a draw will be enough for both sides to qualify.
Italy was taken aback by conceding the quickest-ever goal in tournament history against Albania but responded brilliantly to make a winning start to their title defence. Alessandro Bastoni levelled the score in 10 minutes before Nicolo Barella's thumping strike put them ahead. Luciano Spalletti’s side created a bag full of chances to extend their lead but failed to convert. It almost cost them the win as Gianluigi Donnarumma had to starve off a late flurry from Albania. Overall, the performance is motivating for the Azzurri aiming to be just the second team to win successive Euros after Spain whom they battle in the second group game. Since losing to La Roja in the Nations League last June, Italy suffered defeat in just one more of their preceding 12 matches. They are unbeaten in 10 games at the European Championship since winning against the three-time winners 2-0 in 2016 and would like to extend it on Thursday.
Recent Form (all competitions)
SPN: LDWWW
ITA: WWDWW
Recent Form (Euro 2024)
SPN: W
ITA: W
SPN vs ITA Predicted Lineups
Spain
Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Nacho, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams
Italy
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco; Jorginho, Barella; Frattesi, Pellegrini, Chiesa; Scamacca
SPN vs ITA Head-to-head (all competitions)
Played - 36
SPN won - 14
Drawn - 12
ITA won - 10
SPN vs ITA Head-to-head (Euro Championship)
Played - 7
SPN won - 2
Drawn - 2
ITA won - 3
SPN vs ITA Dream11 Match Prediction
With more attacking force in store, Spain could capitalise on the breachable defence of Italy and register a win. We predict a 2-1 victory for La Roja.
SPN vs ITA Dream11 Top picks
Captain Pick: Alvaro Morata
Vice-captain Picks: Lamile Yamal, Nicolo Barella, Pedri
SPN vs ITA Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: U Simon (Cr - 7.5)
DEF: D Carvajal (Cr - 8.5), G D Lorenzo (Cr - 8.5), A Bastoni (Cr - 8)
MID: Yamal (Cr - 8.5), Ruiz (8), Barella (Cr - 8.5), Pedri (9)
FW: Scamacca (Cr - 9), Morata (9), Chiesa (9)
Vice-captain: Lamile Yamal
Captain: Alvaro Morata
