Spain vs Croatia predictions: Spanish ace Pedri can fire up former champs
- Spain are three-time European Championship winners
- Croatia were knocked out by Spain in the last Euros
- Recommended bet: Pedri to score anytime
Spain and Croatia extend their new-found European Championship rivalry by getting the Group B campaign underway in Berlin.
These countries have met at each of the last three Euros with a one-goal win apiece and a 90-minute draw three years ago in which Spain went on to win in extra-time.
Team news
Nacho should be drafted in to partner Robin Le Normand as Spain's central defensive pairing if Aymeric Laporte is ruled out. Laporte has missed training with a muscle problem.
Pedri is being tipped for the No.10 role behind Alvaro Morata with probably Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams on the flanks.
Croatia's midfielder Nikola Vlasic has returned to training after a lay-off.
Zlatko Dalic has been experimenting with Josko Gvardiol at left-back — where he has appeared for Manchester City — but is unlikely to waver from his 4-3-3 set-up, to ensure the Modric-Brozovic-Kovacic midfield trio all start.
The stats
The last two meetings between Croatia and Spain have been draws at 90 minutes.
Spain have scored 13 goals in their last three internationals and at least three goals in five of their last six fixtures.
Croatia are unbeaten in six matches in which they have conceded just three goals.
Spain's last three European Championship opening games have been 0-0 (2020), 1-0 (2016) and 1-1 (2012), while Croatia's last two EC openers have been 0-1 (2020) and 1-0 (2016).
Prediction
Berlin hosts a crunch Group B showdown between Spain and Croatia, no strangers to each other and both in good form.
Three-time winners Spain flexed their muscles with a 5-0 drubbing of Andorra and 5-1 thrashing of Northern Ireland, while Croatia are unbeaten in six featuring four clean sheets.
The narrative seems to be, can Luis de la Fuente's young talents get the better of Croatia's seemingly ageless and venerated heroes, especially their midfield trio of Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic?
They will certainly dominate possession and create chances and it is worth betting one of their future stars to shine bright, Barcelona's 21-year-old Pedri.
Pedri played in the No10 role against Northern Ireland and scored twice — his first international goals — to make him pretty much a certainty for the role against Croatia.
The youngster has had a great season and clearly thrives playing alongside Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, who are also set to feature at the weekend.
Spain are 17/20 to win this with LiveScore Bet though 13/4 shots Croatia have so much self-belief and a knack of proving everyone wrong.
It could be close but Pedri has the imagination and the form to find a way past Josko Gvardiol and co.
Win up to £250,000 with LiveScore 6!
Win up to £250,000 with LiveScore 6!
