Spain v Czech Republic
Football : Euro 2012 Qualifier
Friday 25 March 2011 - Kickoff 9pm

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Two teams that are involved in Scotland's group meet on Friday evening and I am sure any Scots watching the game will be hoping the Spanish can get the victory. With chances of winning the group ranging between no chance and fat chance, Scotland's best hope may be to finish 2nd and hope for a nice draw in the Play Offs if they want to qualify for Poland and Ukraine next Summer.

Spain

What can I say about Spain that you have not heard before? They are the reigning European and World Champions and they are the favourites to retain their trophy next Summer. With a nucleus being made up from the all-conquering Barcelona side, it is clear that they will be tough to stop for anyone.

The Spanish have made a quick start as expected in their qualifying group, winning all 3 games they have played and already holding a 3 point advantage over 2nd placed Czech Republic. I dont think it would be that presumptious of me to say if Spain win this game they can begin booking their hotels in Poland and Ukraine for next Summer. Spain beat Lithuania in their only home qualifying game, winning that one 3-1.

Vicente Del Bosque is keeping his side in focus by talking up the Czech Republic side and making sure it is clear that they do pose a threat to the Spain team.

Carlos Puyol, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro are not in the squad so some changes will have to be made to the starting XI. However, there are plenty of options available for Del Bosque here.

Czech Republic

The golden era for the Czech Republic has passed now, but this new crop of players will be hoping to have an impact on a group where they are the 2nd favourites behind Spain. However, the Czechs failed to qualify for the last World Cup and still have some work to do if they are to finish above Lithuania and Scotland.

The team currently sits 2nd in the group, picking up 2 wins from their 3 games played, although the defeat to Lithuania at home could come back to haunt them. The Czech Republic hold a 2 point advantage over Scotland and Lithuania, but both of those sides have already faced the Spanish once. The Czech Republic won their only away game at Leichtenstein by 2 goals to nil, although this is a different challenge.

Michal Bilek is hoping his team can pressurise the Spanish into making mistakes, and will be looking to ensure there is not a lot of space for Xavi and Andres Iniesta, but this is not easily done as sides throughout Europe will testify.

Milan Baros could be the starting forward for a Czech team that has scored just 3 goals in their 3 qualifying games so far. Bilek has also included 6 players from the Under-21 squad to try and reinvigorate the senior team.

Head to Head

This will be the first competitive meeting between the teams since they were paired in the same group for the 1998 World Cup Qualifiers.

Spain have won 17 straight qualifying games since 2007.

Prediction

This is a really tough fixture for a Czech Republic side that has struggled for goals so far in this qualifying campaign as they go up against the best international side in the World... Away from home no less.

Spain will look to pass teams to death and I expect them to play their normal brand of football that has been so effective for them since winning Euro 2008. They have plenty of attacking talent in their side, while their weakness in defence is not always exposed as teams cannot seem to get the ball off of them.

I can imagine the Czech Republic looking to keep this as tight as possible, but I feel most of the sides in this group have ruled the away game at Spain out as a possible game to achieve a result in.

With a lack of goals in the side, I think Spain will prove too strong for the Czech Republic, and I feel they will win this with a bit to spare with the attacking options available to Vicente Del Bosque.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Spain 2-0 Czech Republic

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll take Spain -1.5 Asian Handicap @ 1.8 (3 UNITS)

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