Spain vs. Sweden Predictions: A goal in both halves at +100
A Covid-19 outbreak has troubled the Spain camp throughout their training camp. Does Neil Monnery think this will harm their chances in their opening game with Sweden...?
Location: Seville, Spain
Date: Monday, June 14.
Kick Off Time: 3PM ET
TV: ESPN
If you haven’t been following the story closely then let me get you up to speed. Spain have a Covid-19 crisis. Sergio Busquets and Diego Llorente both tested positive for the virus thus putting the whole squad into quarantine. Not exactly ideal preparation going into the first match of a major tournament. Players were not able to train together and a second squad was put in place that took part in their recent friendly match with Lithuania.
The two players who tested positive will miss this game but the rest of the squad have now been vaccinated and at the time of writing - the game should be going ahead as planned.
With Sergio Ramos out - the heart of the team has been stripped out. The quality however is very much still in situ with the likes of Pau Torres, Aymeric Laporte and Eric Garcia battling for the two Center Back positions. Rodri is the new playmaker and that is a bit worrying for Spanish fans. This isn't your Xavi/Iniesta/Febregas midfield but they are still more than decent.
Up top Alvaro Morata will likely lead the line. I’ve never been big on the striker but he’s clearly had a good career. His record at club level of a two every two games however is nothing to write home about if you consider yourself to be genuinely world class.
One man we won’t be seeing in this game however is Zlatan. The Swedish icon has announced he was coming out of international retirement to play for his country at Euro 2020 but injury has curtailed that plan.
21 year-old Dejan Kulusevski has been an integral part of the Juventus side this season and he could be vying with Englishman Phil Foden for young player of the tournament. He has everything in his locker. He really could be on the verge of announcing himself as one of the finest players of his generation. His fellow 21 year-old Alexander Isak scored 17 times in La Liga this season and could also be a breakout star.
Picks: Spain’s disputed training camp means I can’t pick them at -250 to win this game. That is just way too short. The tie at +380 provides much better value.
William Hill in NJ are also offering +100 that a goal will be scored in both halves. That seems like better than a 50-50 shot to me.
