Sports Blog 17/06/2016: UEFA Euro 2016 Preview – Czech Republic vs Croatia + Spain vs Turkey, Friday 17th June 2016

Both Spain and Croatia will be looking to secure a place in the Euro 2016 knockouts when they play their 2nd group games this Friday!

First up are Croatia, who face a lacklustre Czech Republic at 5pm on BBC One. Combine Spain’s pedigree with the fact that Pavel Vrba’s side conceded the most goals in qualifying out of the countries in the competition proper, and the Czech Republic will likely be pleased that they only lost their opener 1-0. Not that Vrba will have been too overjoyed at the Czech performance; the side had a paltry 28% possession and managed a mere 6 shots to Spain’s 18 (admittedly when it comes to shots on target the countries were far closer with 3 and 5 respectively). Anchored in midfield by Tomas Rosicky and Sparta Prague’s Borek Dockal (the latter the country’s top scorer in qualification), the Czech Republic lack a credible presence going forwards, reliant on the aging David Lafata (at a Super Mega PGM of 14-18) and the milquetoast Tomas Necid (at 17-21) for goals.



Croatia, on the other hand, certainly aren’t lacking in the inspiration department. Their 1-0 win in the opener flatters Turkey, with Croatia hitting the woodwork 3 times around Luka Modric’s beauty of a winner. Arguably one of the competition’s dark horses there is a sense of strength running through the entire Croatian side; veterans Darijo Srna and Vedran Corkula provide solidity at the back, while Mario Mandzukic (at a Super Mega PGM of 24-29) is more than an able target up front. Yet it is in midfield where Croatia really shine. Main man Modric is joined by La Liga rival Ivan Rakitic and Inter Milan pair Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Perisic, the quartet producing one of the more dominant displays of the competition against Turkey.

If Ante Cacic’s side can produce the same kind of display they did in their opener than Friday afternoon’s game should be pretty clear cut, Spreadex offering a Croatia/Czech Republic Goal Supremacy spread of 0.4-0.6 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.05-2.25.

Like Croatia, Spain will be looking to build on their early promise when they take on Turkey at 8pm on ITV. Vincent del Bosque’s side left it late to get the win against the Czech Republic, an incredible amount of possession failing to translate into goals. Nevertheless Gerard Pique’s 87th minute header was enough to nab all 3 points, meaning a win on Friday evening would guarantee their place in the last 16. Even with knockout qualification in sight del Bosque will still want more from his forwards, Alvaro Morata (at a Super Mega PGM of 31-37) and Artiz Aduriz (at 30-36) both putting in frustrating performances against the Czechs.



Turkey, meanwhile, are in real danger to exiting the Euros in the group stages, even if they do manage a 3rd place finish in Group D. There weren’t many positives in their first game against Croatia, with captain Arda Turan especially ineffective. It must be remembered, however, that Turkey finished as the top 3rd place side in qualification, escaping Group A alongside Iceland and the Czech Republic, and ahead of the Netherlands. Faith Terim’s men will need to re-find that qualifying spirit if they are to reach the knockouts, but face a tough task in doing so against the defending champions.

From our traders perspective there isn’t much ambiguity over Friday evening’s result; Spreadex are offering a Spain/Turkey Goal Supremacy spread of 1.05-1.25 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.25-2.45.

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