Croatia v Spain Cheat Sheet
Spain meet Croatia in the last 16 of Euro 2021 on Monday, looking to continue their improving form after a rampant 5-0 win over Slovakia in their final group outing. Prior to that drubbing, Luis Enrique's side had been lacklustre, dominating possession but failing to penetrate the likes of Sweden and Poland often enough to win either encounter.
La Furia Roja are strong favourites to win this tie and make it through to the quarter-finals, however, priced at 8/13 to win inside 90 mins. Croatia are a big-price 6/1 which is perhaps unsurprising given their underwhelming qualifying campaign which saw them lose to England and draw with the Czech Republic before getting the better of basement boys Scotland.
The 2018 World Cup finalists do have a lot of quality in their squad though so it will be interesting to see if they up their game for this mouthwatering knockout clash at Copenhagen's Parken Arena.
Find all of the key betting angles, stats and tips in our Cheat Sheets for the game below.
Standout Stats
Both sides have been fairly poor at Euro 2021 so far but they should each up their game with so much on the line. Looking towards the shot markets and Alvaro Morata dominates things for Spain, letting 11 off at the tournament so far, with just over half of those testing the keeper!
He's only got his name on the scoresheet once which is extremely disappointing considering how many efforts he's had at goal, but it's a clear sign that he is getting in the correct positions to bolster his tally, so I'd be looking to have him on-side for 2+ SoT in this one.
Another interesting proposition could be midfielder Pablo Sarabia. The PSG man has only started one game for Spain at the Euros but got his name on the scoresheet against Slovakia and has registered 5 shots at goal so far, with three landing on target. If he starts, his price could hold some value, but if he is introduced as a substitute later on then he could also prove a shrewd punt for an in-play shots bet.
Dejan Lovren is the man I'm looking towards to pick up a card. The former Liverpool man made a name for himself in Merseyside as a rash tackler and that form has carried on since he departed England. The former Southampton defender picked up 10 cautions in 20/21 and has already seen yellow twice at Euro 2021, making him the joint-most carded player at the tournament.
Up against a Spain forward line with plenty of physicality and athleticism, Lovren could well find his name taken again here.
Who's in charge?
