Slovakia vs Spain Prediction - Betting Tips and Preview - EURO 2020
How Slovakia Qualified for Euro 2020
Slovakia took the long route out of Group E. They were handed a tricky draw alongside Hungary, Wales, and Croatia. They finished in third place behind the latter two and headed for the play-offs after their Nations League performance.
In the end, all four of those sides qualified for the final tournament. Slovakia did so by overcoming both sides of the island of Ireland. They saw off the Republic of Ireland on penalties in the semi-finals of their Path B play-off. Slovakia came up against Northern Ireland in the final and needed extra time to get it done. A 110th-minute winning goal from Michal Duris was enough to secure the 2-1 victory.
How Spain Qualified for Euro 2020
Spain had a tricky group to get out of. Group F saw them come up against Sweden, Norway, and Romania as well as Malta and the Faroe Islands. The former four sides all qualified in the end but it was Spain that topped the group.
Julen Lopetegui’s men secured 26 points from a possible 30 as they were held to just two draws along the way. They dropped four points in consecutive away matches – to Norway and Sweden – but did enough to secure an automatic spot in this tournament. They shared the goals amongst a talented squad with 14 different goalscorers across the 10 matches.
Slovakia v Spain Stats & Analysis
This will be the seventh meeting between Slovakia and Spain. The most recent two came in the qualification campaign for Euro 2016 as both sides won one each. Spain have a better record in these matches with four wins, one draw, and one loss.
And a lot of the evidence suggests that Spain will take some stopping here. Lopetegui’s side really found their stride in qualification with a series of impressive results. They were one of just five sides to remain unbeaten throughout qualification and only four nations outscored them. Spain’s strength is chance creation. They created an average of 2.96 xG in each of their ten qualification matches. That was the highest of any side in the competition, well clear of Portugal in second. In comparison, Slovakia created just 1.37 xG per match.
Slovakia v Spain Bets
So it’s no surprise to see that Spain are the big favourites here. Julen Lopetegui’s side are 1/4 odds-on to secure three vital points in their bid to qualify from Group E. A draw is 11/2 and Slovakia are out at 55/4 to get the win. It’s 7/2 for a Slovakia win or a draw double chance.
But a big Spain win is the likeliest outcome here. Don’t be surprised if La Roja put on a show in an attempt to add to their goal difference in a competitive group. They’re 8/11 to win with a European handicap of 1-0 to the hosts, Slovakia and 13/8 for 2-0. A first-half Asian handicap of Spain -1 is a tempting 7/5.
