Spain vs Croatia betting tips: U21 Euros preview, predictions, team news & odds

Spain vs Croatia betting tips: Under-21 Euros preview, predictions, team news and odds

By Ben Gray

Updated: July 05, 2023 at 6:30 am GMT+1

Spain vs Croatia: Head to head statistics

Spain vs Croatia recommended bets

Tip of the day

Spain vs Croatia

Spain to win 2-0 against Croatia- 13/2!

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At 13/2, a £10 bet would return £75!

Spain vs Croatia

June 24, 2023

7:45 pm GMT+1

Spain vs Croatia match preview

Spain were the pre-tournament favourites to lift this trophy, and showed exactly why on opening night.

Three days ago, la Rojita swatted aside co-hosts Romania 3-0 Stadionul Steaua, much to the disappointment of the over 20,000 home supporters in attendance.

Top-scorer Abel Ruiz actually missed an open goal on the cusp of half time, but it ultimately matter not.

The breakthrough did come ten minutes after the interval, with Víctor Gómez’s pull-back swept home by Álex Baena.

Not long after, Juan Miranda doubled their lead, rounding off a free-flowing team move, before Sergio Gómez made it 3-0 in stoppage time, with his free-kick taking a wicked deflection.

Spain have won this trophy on five occasions, including in 2011, 2013 and 2019, with Santi Denia’s team emphasising exactly why many are tipping them for glory once again.

On the other side of București, Croatia did not make such a rip-roaring start, beaten 2-0 by Ukraine on Wednesday.

Marko Bulat did fire a free-kick just wide, Luka Stojković hit the crossbar and Bartol Franjić saw a tame header saved but, in truth, the Mladi Vatreni were second-best all night.

Croatia reached the quarter-finals of this competition for the very first time two summers ago, but Dragan Skočić's team know a defeat here could see them eliminated with a game still to play.

Will Spain be simply too strong at Stadionul Rapid-Giulești?

Spain team news

Víctor Gómez came on at half time for Arnau Martínez on Wednesday, a straight swap at right-back, and immediately provided an assist, so could be included in the XI here.

If Santi Denia does decide to change a winning team, any of Hugo Guillamón, Gabri Veiga, Ander Barrenetxea or Rodrigo Riquelme could come into midfield.