It is another home tie for the Spanish side, which so far has failed to impact their results in a positive way as they have drawn two out of two games.
Slovakia come into this tie with a win and loss to their names and a win would keep them in second place or even propel them to first depending on results in the other game.
If Sweden lose against Poland and Spain win then their poor start will be forgotten as they will finish the group in first place after two shock draws.
- Head to head:
In five previous meetings between these two Spain has W3, D2, L1 scoring 11 goals and conceding just five goals.
- Odds:
Slovakia are 15/0 to win the game and Spain are 1/20 to win the game.
- Previous defensive record:
Slovakia have scored two and conceded two in their one win and loss so far. Whereas Spain has scored one and conceded one goal over their last two games, and have also missed a penalty.
- Players to watch:
At the end of Matchday two, Slovakia’s all rounder, Juraj Kucka had both committed the joint-highest number of fouls (six) and suffered the second-most number of fouls against himself (seven). Gerard Moreno (Spain) has been directly involved in nine goals for Spain (five goals, four assists), that’s more than any other player, since his debut in October 2019.
- Team News:
Ivan Schranz and Denis Vavro (Slovakia) both miss out with a thigh injury and an illness.
Misses next match if booked: Dúbravka, Duda, Hubočan, Weiss (Slovakia)
Misses next match if booked: Pau Torres, Rodri (Spain)
- Predicted Line-ups:
Slovakia possible line-up: Dúbravka; Pekarík, Šatka, Škriniar, Hubočan; Kucka, Hrošovský; Haraslín, Hamšík, Mak; Duda
Spain possible line-up: Unai Simón; Azpilicueta, Laporte, Pau Torres, Gayà; Llorente, Busquets, Thiago; Gerard Moreno, Morata, Traoré
Team view:
Štefan Tarkovič, Slovakia coach: “Sweden and Poland were the favourites in our matches against them, but Spain are top favourites and not only in our group but in the whole tournament. We must prepare well for the match. I still believe we can be successful.”
César Azpilicueta, Spain defender: “The team have lots of hunger to get on with winning against Slovakia. We wish we’d got more points. That’s not the reality of the situation, but it’s crucial in football to depend on yourself. We’re at home, it’s like a knockout game, and there are things we are doing well but other aspects we know we must improve.”
Last six form guide:
Slovakia: LWDDWD
Spain: DDDWWD
This will be an interesting game as Spain need to win to give themselves any hope of qualifying yet Slovakia, who also need a positive result here to book their place in the next round haven’t lost back-to-back games under their current manager Tarkovič (W4, D5, L2).
Spain will be hoping they can get the win on the third try after their slow start and they will take confidence from the fact that they go into this match boasting a 100% record against their opponents on home soil, but as we have seen from their last two games, home advantage doesn’t always count for much.
A draw will be enough for Slovakia yet Spain if they come out with anything other than a win may have to wait to see if they can qualify as one of the best out of four third placed teams.
