Spain vs Northern Ireland predictions: La Roja can ease to Palma win

Enda McElhinney

Spotlight

Mikel Oyarzabal came off the bench to score three times for Spain in midweek

- Spain warmed up for this clash with a 5-0 win over Andorra on Wednesday
- Northern Ireland are unbeaten in three games, including wins over Denmark and Scotland
- Recommended bet: Spain to score in both halves

Spain complete their Euro 2024 warm-up with a visit from Northern Ireland to the holiday destination of Mallorca and it should be a pleasant evening for the hosts.

Northern Ireland come into this fixture on a three-game unbeaten streak, beating Denmark and Scotland either side of a 1-1 draw with Romania, but this is a step up in class.

Boss Luis de la Fuente has opted for a low-resistance approach to Spain's pre-tournament friendly schedule and after his side beat Andorra 5-0 in midweek, they should account for Northern Ireland in convincing fashion in Palma.

Team news

Ayoze Perez marked his first appearance for the Spanish national team by scoring the opener against Andorra in midweek and the Real Betis forward will want another chance to shine here.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya collected his fifth cap in that rout, though Chelsea's Marc Cucurella had to settle for a spot on the bench. He was joined there by Mikel Oyarzabal, before the Real Sociedad playmaker entered the fray at half-time and duly notched a hat-trick.

This is Northern Ireland's first game since March when a Conor Bradley strike stunned Scotland in Hampden Park.

Manager Michael O'Neill may experiment to some degree here, with a game against Andorra in Murcia on Tuesday eminently more winnable.

A tough test awaits Michael O'Neill and Northern Ireland in Mallorca

The stats

This will be the 19th time Spain and Northern Ireland have faced each other, with La Roja winning 11 and drawing five of the previous 18.

Northern Ireland famously beat Spain 1-0 on home soil when they hosted the World Cup in 1982.

This is the first meeting of the nations since a Euro 2008 qualifier in Las Palmas when Xavi scored the only goal.

Spain won seven out of eight games in Euro 2024 qualification, scoring 25 goals and conceding five.

Northern Ireland lost seven of their 10 qualifiers, scoring just nine goals and conceding 13.

Northern Ireland have failed to score in four of the last five meetings with Spain.

The latest Spain v Northern Ireland odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

Spain took time to warm to the task against Andorra last time out but they were infused by the half-time introduction of Oyarzabal, who duly helped himself to a first ever hat-trick in Spain's colours.

He picked up lots of possession in pockets of space and Northern Ireland will do well to contain their hosts with that similar mindset and playing style.

While results have been encouraging for the North lately, it is worth recalling their possession stats yielded 28% against Denmark (already assured of Euros qualification before they visited Belfast), 35% against Romania and only 27% in the win over the Scots.

That Hampden Park tally is likely to drop further against a Spanish side that protects the ball so well.

Northern Ireland will be made to chase out of possession and Spain can pick enough holes in their defence to believe that while they are as short as 1/10 with LiveScore Bet to win this game, much more value is to be had in backing the home side to score at least once in each half.

Back Spain to Score in both halves at 8/15 with LiveScore Bet