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Spain vs Portugal
4 June 1830hrs
Football – International – Friendly
Pick Spain
Bookmaker William Hill
Odds: 13/10 odds taken 2000 GMT, Thursday 3 June
Winners of the last three European Championships between them, this will be Spain and Portugal’s penultimate game before they begin their Euro 2020 campaigns.
Table of Contents
Spain Preview – Are Luis Enrique’s men set for a confidence-boosting win on home soil?
Luis Enrique has already been under the microscope before a ball has been kicked with his squad selection. The omission of captain and record cap holder Sergio Ramos was a surprise to many as was the first ever Spanish national squad to be name without the inclusion of a Real Madrid player. The head coach has also named only 24 players rather than the full quota of 26 which he is allowed.
It virtually marks the beginning of a new era and the end of the most successful period in Spanish national team history. Luis Enrique will just be hoping that his decisions result in a positive showing at the finals or he could be under pressure.
Spain are in Group E along with Sweden, Slovakia and Poland, so they will be well fancied to qualify and top the group. Having disappointed at the last three major finals (World Cups in 2014, 2018 and Euro 2016) there is an expectation for this younger group of players to restore pride to the country who had won the three competitions immediately before that.
To complete their preparations Spain will host Lithuania in their final friendly game ahead of that opener against Sweden which will take place in Seville on the 14th of June.
Portugal Preview – Will current European Champions Portugal lay down a marker before starting the defence of their title?
The greatest moment in Portuguese national team history took place just under five years ago when defeating France 1-0 in the final of Euro 2016. It’s been a longer wait than normal to defend their crown but they’re now just a couple of games away from their first match at the Championships as holders. Fernando Santos’ men will play Israel at home on Wednesday after this game and then begin their campaign away to Hungary.
In what is considered the group of death, the reigning champions will also play Germany and France in their section. So there is work to do before they even reach the knockout phase of the competition.
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There’s no shortage of talent and quality in this squad and Santos is going to have some headaches as he settles on his starting team for the first group game. There has been a significant turnover in the squad which won Euro 2016 as you would expect but veterans Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo remain – the duo have 286 caps between them.
Their key man is likely to be Bruno Fernandes this time around, though. The Manchester United midfielder has been in scintillating form for his club, both scoring and creating goals. He will feel the need to convert that into the international arena.
Spain vs Portugal Betting Advice
It may be a friendly game but whenever these two Iberian rivals meet it’s always one to savour – they could even clash in the upcoming finals. The last time they met in the European Championships was back in Euro 2012 in the memorable semi-final which went all the way to penalties. Spain were victorious on that occasion as they advanced to the final for their second straight win in the competition.
Key Facts – Spain vs Portugal Betting Tip
- Spain will finish their preparations for Euro 2020 when they face Lithuania in Leganes on Tuesday
- Portugal return to Lisbon next week to play Isarael ahead of their first match of the European Championships
- These nations met in the semi-final of Euro 2012 when Spain progressed to the final courtesy of a penalty shootout win
Although the win isn’t important this time around neither team will want to concede ground. Spain rarely lose at home and they can make that advantage count. It’s likely to be a close-fought game.
Best Betting Odds for Spain vs Portugal
