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The second game in Group D take takes place on June 13th at the Stadium Municipal in Toulouse and it’s between defending European champions Spain and 1996 runners-up Czech Republic. There will be a lot of eyes focused on Spain just to see how close they can come to defending their crown, with many pundits already writing them off due to their ageing squad. This game opening game in Group D could really set the tone for Spanish fans.
Spain hardly put a foot wrong in qualifying for Euro 2016, winning 9 out of their 10 games, their only loss coming away from home to second-placed Slovakia. Spain also only conceded 3 goals, 2 of them coming in that defeat to the Slovaks. Spain also scored 23 goals, so they were averaging 2.3 goals a game. But that’s down to their strange away record. The only team the managed to put more than 1 goal past away from home was Luxembourg. Out of he 4 games they won away from home, 3 of them were won 1-0. Still, you can’t argue with results. There aren’t too many surprised in the Spanish squad, and their first XI is going to be made up of household names.
The Czech Republic were also group winners, making it out of Group A by winning 7 games, drawing 1 and losing 2. It was a tight group, where the edged out Iceland, Turkey and the Netherlands for top spot, but the Czechs deserved top spot due to their consistency. They consistently scored goals and they consistently conceded them. In fact, the Czech Republic failed to keep a clean sheet in qualifying. The Czech squad isn’t as high-profile as it once was, with many of the players plying their trade in some of Europe’s more average sides. However, the Arsenal pairing of Petr Cech and Tomas Rosicky will provide some class in a more workman like Czech squad. The inclusion of Rosicky has proven to be a bit controversial given his injury-hit season with Arsenal that’s seen him play only 19 minutes of football this season. However, he’s a class act, and if match fit, could be the big player the Czechs need.
Spain have the upper-hand in the head-to-head in the short history between the two sides. Their first meeting in 1996 was a 0-0 draw, but Spain have won the last three meetings, both in 2011 for qualification for Euro 2012. Spain won the last meeting 2-0 in the Czech Republic.
Spain vs Czech Republic Match Betting Odds:
Spain: 1.5, 1/2, -200
Czech Republic: 8.0, 7/1, +700
Draw: 4.0, 3/1, +300
Spain vs Czech Republic Match Betting Tips:
Spain to win is actually a quite a decent price, all things considered. A 50% ROI is a lot better than they would give you at the bank. There are question marks over Spain’s goalscoring capabilities away from home, but the Czechs just love conceding goals. But do we really want to get in with a 1/2 shot? No, I think there’s better value to be had in the prop bets. That being said, if you want to go in on Spain at what could be a fancy price once the final whistle goes, don’t let me stop you.
Spain vs Czech Republic Prop Bets:
This is where I think the value is. Like I’ve said, the Czechs are going to ship goals here. Will they score? Maybe, but the Spanish defence was as safe as houses during qualifying. I can see Spain winning here, and with that leaky Czech defence, they should be good for at least a couple, considering Turkey managed it. If the Spanish defence can stay as tight as it was during qualification, Spain -1 is undoubtedly the play here, and it’s around 2.25, 5/4, +125, which, to me, looks real value.
