The second semi-final in the UEFA Nations League takes place in Stuttgart on Thursday, with Spain and France meeting in Germany for the second summer in succession.
Lamine Yamal’s long-range screamer lit up their semi-final clash at Euro 2024, with La Roja going on to win that tournament. Luis de la Fuente, who also guided his team to Nations League glory in 2023, will be hoping his team are still hungry for more silverware as they bid to defend their title over the next few days.
Spain haven’t lost a match since a friendly against Colombia in March 2024, but they were made to work by The Netherlands in a thrilling Nations League quarter-final which ended 5-5 on aggregate, before the Iberians prevailed in the shootout.
There was also penalty drama for France who beat Croatia on spot-kicks to reach this stage. Prior to that, they’d looked unconvincing on home soil during the group phase, drawing with Israel and losing to Italy, but three wins out of three on their travels secured safe passage into the knockout phase for the 2021 Nations League winners.
How the bookies view it: Spain favoured to win another semi
Spain are the 11/8 favourites to repeat their victory from Euro 2024. France are on offer at 15/8 to gain revenge and win the game in regulation time, while you can back this to finish level after 90 minutes at 11/5.
Recent head-to-head: La Roja hold the edge
These two sides are relatively familiar foes having met eight times since the start of the 2010s. Spain have won five of those meetings including the two clashes in major championships, although France did win 2-1 in the only previous Nations League encounter in 2021.
Players to watch: Yamal to let fly again?
Yamal ended the season in La Liga in scintillating form for Barcelona, and he’s been firing in the shots of late, having at least four in all of his last seven club appearances. The 17-year-old scored in three of his final four outings and you can back Yamal to have over 2.5 shots in this game at 1/1 with Bet365.
Predicted Lineups
Youngsters Dean Huijsen and Samu Aghehowa are pushing for starts for La Roja, but De la Fuente may prefer the experienced duo of Robin Le Normand and Alvaro Morata for this game.
As for France, much will depend on the state of the sizable contingent who were involved in last weekend’s Champions League final. Didier Deschamps may hold some of those players back, and he already has selection issues in defence, with Clement Lenglet and Lucas Hernandez both in contention for a starting role.
Spain: Simon, Porro, Cubarsi, Le Normand, Cucurella, Pedri, Ruiz, Yamal, Olmo, Williams, Morata.
France: Maignan, Gusto, Konate, L. Hernandez, Digne, Tchouameni, Kone, Rabiot, Olise, Mbappe, Kolo Muani.
Anything else catch the eye?
With the France boss potentially leaving some of his PSG stars on the bench, there may be an opportunity for Spain to seize control of this game in the first half. The European champions will also really fancy their chances of exposing an opposing defence which won’t feature the likes of Jules Kounde or William Saliba.
Given that, La Roja look pretty good at 20/21 to score first in this game with Boyle Sports, while they can be backed to win the tie at 8/11 with the same bookmaker.
GambleAware