Euro 2008
2007-11-21 - Spain vs Northern Ireland
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Spain have already qualified for the finals after demolishing Sweden 3-0 last Saturday.SPAIN
After only 1 win in their first 3 matches in the group, and losing 2 of those at Northern Ireland (3-2) and Sweden (2-0), Spain have won 7 of 8 and are hoping to continue their momentum in this match. Spain have won all of their 5 matches at home in the group, scoring 12 goals and only conceding 1.
It seems that Spain will start with their strongest possible team, but the venue and the lack of need for a win might make the players a little relaxed. This could make Spain a very dangerous side if their flair players begin enjoying the game and look to put in a performance.
NORTHERN IRELAND
If someone had told a Northern Irish national that their team was still in with a shout (albeit almost a whisper) to qualify for Euro 2008 with a game to play, they would have been laughed out of the country. The draw had not been kind, but Northern Ireland can still qualify if Latvia win in Sweden and Spain are beaten here.
Windsor Park has become a fortress and England's defeat there a couple of seasons ago has been experienced by Spain, Denmark and Sweden in this qualifying campaign. However, their away form reads 1-2-2 with 5 goals scored and 5 conceded and only 1 clean sheet.
Respectable draws were gained in Denmark and Sweden, but the problem for the Northern Irish was in defeats in Latvia and Iceland.
Northern Ireland's 3 defeats in the group have come against those 2 teams with Iceland winning twice- thats how close the Northern Irish have been to qualifying and they may be disappointed that they took enough points off the 'big' nations and lost them at the 'smaller' nations.
Saturdays win over Denmark was achieved in waterlogged conditions and it seems to have had an effect on the players condition as they were given an extra day off to recharge their batteries. Jonny Evans is suspended, and George McCartney has not recovered from injury so Chris Baird should deputise. Kieth Gillespie also misses out for Northern Ireland but Kyle Lafferty is back for consideration after serving his suspension.
PREDICTION :
Northern Ireland have been very good in this qualification campaign and will be disappointed it hasnt ended well. However, they will want to put on a performance for their fans who have travelled over to Las Palmas in huge numbers.
Spain will look for a bit of revenge for their defeat in Belfast and will want to continue their good run with 1 more victory.
I think the Northern Irish should be proud of their national team and what they have accomplished in this qualifying campaign and it should give them some confidence leading up to the draw for the World Cup Qualifiers this Friday.
I think Spain will be too good for the boys in green and will get the win here.
The Pick :
SPAIN 3-0 NORTHERN IRELAND
BEST BETTING TIP :
I expect SPAIN to win with some comfort.(decent prices for accumulators)
