Albania vs Spain predictions: Excitement expected as Albania chase history
- Albania have opened the scoring in both their Euro 2024 games
- Spain have scored in 11 of their last 12 matches
- Recommended bet: Both teams to score
After snatching a well-deserved equaliser against Croatia, Albania know a win over already-qualified Spain in their final group game should send them through to the last 16 of the Euros.
They were considered rank outsiders before the tournament began but Albania have really made their mark on Euro 2024.
They pushed both Italy and Croatia and should now also ask questions of Spain, who are set to rest players.
Team news
Albania look set to be at full strength for this clash, with no changes expected from the team that drew with Croatia.
Spain head into this game having confirmed their place as Group B winners. They are without the suspended Rodri, but the Man City man would have likely been among their rested stars anyway.
Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal have both been key for Spain so far but are expected to be given the evening off.
Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand are a booking away from a suspension, so defensive changes are also likely.
The stats
Albania have conceded 14 shots on target across their first two games.
Each of Albania’s last three games have seen both teams score.
Albania’s only clean sheets in their last eight games have come against the Faroe Islands and Liechtenstein.
Spain have kept two clean sheets but their opponents have racked up 2.3 Expected Goals across those games.
Prediction
Spain can kick back in this clash in Dusseldorf, as they have already booked a last-16 clash with one of the third-placed finishers in Cologne.
That is likely to take their focus off their final group game, which could play into Albania’s hands.
The Albanians have started well in both of their matches, netting early openers against both Italy and Croatia. They also led for over an hour against Croatia, so they are somewhat unlucky not to be in a stronger position heading into their final match.
Sylvinho’s side have shown attacking intent in their first couple of games and that should suit them against a rotated Spanish team.
Needing to win should push them forward and they are likely to score again but keeping a clean sheet looks difficult, considering they have conceded twice in both games in Germany so far.
Spain will need to deal with losing key midfielder Rodri in Dusseldorf, while half of their usual back four look set to be rested.
Spain showed late on against Italy that their attacking depth can cause problems but there are question marks over their second-string defenders.
Albania should test them and with the underdogs in must-win territory, expect this to be another exciting clash with action at both ends.
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