EURO 2012 BETTING PICK - CROATIA V SPAIN

Euro 2012

2012-06-18 - Croatia vs Spain

A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser

Match Preview :

Croatia takes on defending Champions and World Cup winners Spain for the first time in a major competition on Monday night with both sides sitting top of Group C with 4 points.

However, neither side is still assured of a place in the knockout stages of Euro 2012. Both sides are two points ahead of Italy who has two points after two draws who will face the already-eliminated Republic of Ireland in Monday's other group game.

And even though a draw might be good enough to send both teams through to the quarter-finals even if Italy wins, much also depends on the exact scoreline in Gdansk.

It seems unlikely that World and European champions Spain are going to sit back and go for the draw here especially after their dominant 4-0 victory over the Irish last time out, which knocked Giovanni Trapattoni's Republic of Ireland men out of the equation.

Meanwhile, Croatia's second group game ended in a 1-1 draw with Italy after Mario Mandzukic scored a crucial equaliser after the Italians had gone ahead.

Spain midfielder Xavi is expecting a very open game of football in Gdansk as Vicente del Bosque's men look to defend their title. He stated that the Croatians will have to go all out and so9 will they.

And there are fears amongst Italian fans that the encounter could end in a 2-2 draw, a result that would see Croatia join Spain in the next round at the expense of the Italians.

But Xavi stated they only know how to play attacking football so a draw would not suit them. He was quick to state that they will play the style to hold possession, to move the ball and to go forward which has made them European and World Champions to date.

And he said that their aim is always to go out for victory and against Croatia it will be no different. "We will play to get three points from the first minute until the last."

Coach Slaven Bilic knows his side have to step up their game against the holders after beating Ireland before holding Italy to a draw. Bilic whose side is attempting to reach the quarter-finals for the second straight time added that his side needs to play their best game of their lives against the Spanish and that means concentrating for 90 minutes.

Team News :

Spain Team News :
Spain will be at full strength with midfielder Sergio Busquets having recovered from a minor foot injury. Fernando Torres is set to lead Spain's attack for the second consecutive game after scoring two goals against the Republic of Ireland.

Croatia Team News :
Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric will play in support of striker Mario Mandzukic, who is the joint-top scorer in the competition with three goals at the moment.

Predictions :

Take Croatia and accept the 1/2 ball not to lose this match!

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

Go for the draw here.