Verdict: Spain win
Finest odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: Unibet
Having already secured their place as winners of Euro 2024 Group B, Spain face an Albania staff nonetheless vying for a spot within the final 16 on the Merkur Spiel-Enviornment on Monday evening.
La Roja clinched their place within the knockout levels by defeating reigning champions Italy 1-0, whereas Sylvinho’s facet at present occupy third place following an exciting comeback to attract 2-2 with Croatia.
Albania
In a dramatic flip of occasions on the Volksparkstadion, Albania midfielder Klaus Gjasula skilled a whirlwind of feelings throughout their match towards Croatia. Initially, Gjasula appeared to have sealed a heart-wrenching defeat for his staff by scoring an unlucky personal objective, which occurred simply 4 minutes after he got here off the bench, following targets from Qazim Laci and Andrej Kramaric.
Nevertheless, Gjasula’s fortunes reversed dramatically with a sensational Ninety fifth-minute equalizer, redeeming his earlier error and salvaging a 2-2 draw for Albania. With out his essential last-gasp intervention, Albania could be on their means residence, however as a substitute, Sylvinho’s squad clings to 3rd place, maintaining their hopes for a historic knockout stage berth alive.
Albania sit above Croatia on objective distinction and might end second in the event that they handle an upset towards Spain and Croatia defeats Italy by not more than two targets. Advancing as one of many 4 finest third-placed groups stays inside attain.
Nevertheless, attaining these eventualities requires Albania to do what neither Croatia nor Italy have managed at this event: rating towards or take some extent from Spain. With La Roja already assured of progressing, they won’t be as formidable, doubtlessly giving Albania a glimmer of hope.
Staff Information
Regardless of Albania having 4 gamers on the verge of suspension—Armando Broja, Klaus Gjasula, Elseid Hysaj, and Arber Hoxha, who would miss any potential last-16 match if booked—Sylvinho is predicted to ignore these issues when selecting his lineup for Monday’s conflict. Nevertheless, he gained’t have the ability to name upon ahead Mirlind Daku, who has been banned for 2 matches for anti-Serbian discriminatory chanting on the recreation towards Croatia.
Then again, the Crimson and Blacks don’t have any damage or health points. Gjasula’s dramatic equalizer towards Croatia might need given Sylvinho one thing to contemplate relating to midfield choice.
Nevertheless, the Albanian supervisor, previously of Arsenal, Manchester Metropolis, and Barcelona, is more likely to persist with the identical beginning eleven that confronted the 2018 World Cup finalists. This implies Rey Manaj is predicted to start out up entrance once more, most popular over Chelsea’s Armando Broja, who additionally had a tough mortgage interval at Fulham final season.
Spain
5 days after their emphatic 3-0 victory over Croatia—an early assertion of intent—Spain secured a 1-0 win towards Italy in a pivotal conflict of European heavyweights, with personal targets enjoying a decisive position. Riccardo Calafiori’s personal objective within the fifty fifth minute sealed Spain’s win, guaranteeing their high spot in Group B and development to the knockout levels.
Accumulating six factors, with 4 targets scored and none conceded, Spain have demonstrated their power and emerged as critical contenders for the trophy, regardless of not being closely favored earlier than the event began. They’ve successfully navigated the “group of loss of life,” showcasing their immense high quality.
By main Group B, Luis de la Fuente’s squad will face among the best third-placed groups from Teams A, D, E, or F within the last-16, doubtlessly organising a quarter-final towards host nation Germany on July 5.
Presently, Spain goal to increase their successful streak to 5 matches throughout all competitions and end Group B with an ideal report. Traditionally, they’ve dominated Albania, successful all eight of their earlier encounters in males’s worldwide play.
Staff Information
With Spain’s high spot in Group B already secured, Luis de la Fuente has confirmed that he’ll make a number of adjustments for Monday’s recreation. Certainly one of these can be necessitated by Rodri’s suspension, as he should sit out on account of an accumulation of yellow playing cards.
Moreover, centre-back Nacho and winger Ayoze Perez, who have been each hoping to start out, could miss out on account of muscle and hamstring points respectively. Given their present place, de la Fuente is more likely to keep away from any pointless dangers together with his lineup in Dusseldorf.
Martin Zubimendi is the probably candidate to step in for Rodri in midfield. Others who might even see motion embrace Mikel Oyarzabal, Mikel Merino, Ferran Torres, Alejandro Grimaldo, veteran Jesus Navas, and doubtlessly even goalkeeper David Raya.
Conclusion
Given the depth of expertise in Spain’s squad, De la Fuente may feasibly rotate almost the whole beginning lineup and nonetheless safe a cushty victory in Düsseldorf. Even going through an Albania facet with a lot at stake, Spain’s backup gamers, eager to show their value, are more likely to outclass their opponents.
Sylvinho’s Albania has delivered commendable performances towards Italy and Croatia, however the problem of even a second-string Spain staff could also be too formidable. Consequently, Albania appears poised to exit on the group stage.
Verdict: Spain win
Finest odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: Unibet
