Euro 2012 - Ireland v Spain

Is the dream over for Ireland after just one game of Euro 2012? Needing results against both Spain and Italy to extend their involvements would suggest that their time in the tournament could well be coming to an end, and the World Champions are widely expected to make their game against Italy a total non-event through victory tonight.

 With no team having ever won three major tournaments in succession and none having ever successfully defended the European Championship title, a few had expressed some doubts over Spain’s challenge before the finals started and those naysayers may only feel vindicated by the 1-1 draw they had against Italy, although much more can be taken from that than just face value. As per usual they controlled the vast amount of possession (65%), but would have been happy with a point against what is on paper their toughest challenge in the group and they could easily have won the game but for three missed chances by Fernando Torres late on. His impact, even if not enough for a goal, had several questioning Vicente Del Bosque’s tactics, which saw him play 5 creative midfielders with Cesc Fabregas (seen here scoring the equalizer) operating the false No.9 spot that he had done so successfully for Barcelona when employed there earlier during the season. Fabregas’s equalizer vindicates the good game he had but there was no question that Spain’s threat was considerably higher with Torres on the pitch and it was fascinating to discover that Del Bosque is thinking of repeating his tactics, being quoted as saying "Against Ireland we will play a number nine - though it depends what you understand by a number nine.” David Silva is a forward; Andres Iniesta plays like one, so does Cesc."

Whether he puts in strikers or not, Spain shouldn’t have too much trouble breaking down the Irish and it’s simply a matter of how many in my mind with Ireland, even if able to frustrate them, lacking enough to really threaten Spain’s backline. Before the Italy game, it’s worth mentioning that Ireland had gone unbeaten in 14 games, with ten of those seeing Ireland keeping a clean sheet, but their rear-guard at this level faces a much stiffer task – as evidenced by their defending against Croatia – and they may lack the penetration to really trouble the world champions. A win to nil for the favourites is 5/6 in places while 188BET will give you 9/10 about that eventuality, & with Spain having let in just 6 qualifying goals while not conceding for the majority of their latter world cup games, it’s a price that makes obvious appeal. Another shot that makes appeal is the second half to be the highest scoring at 6/5 with Coral. Three of Spain's six victories at the World Cup came after a level first half, along with three of their warm up games, and if Ireland don’t concede early, you can imagine them being much more comfortable than against Croatia in sticking to a rigid defensive formation before being probed open by what’s likely to be a patient approach from Spain. With this in mind, the 2-0 correct score also appeals.

Advice

2 pts Spain to win to nil (9/10 188BET)

2 pts More goals in 2^nd half (6/5 Coral)

1 pt 2-0 Spain (5/1 general)