Spain Croatia betting tip & the best odds for the 1st match of Group B
Group B of the Euro 2024 gets underway. My Spain Croatia betting tip kicks things off on Saturday, before Albania and Italy meet. Definitely one of the most attractive groups!
In addition to the defending champions, Spain are one of the record title holders – and Croatia are a 2018 World Cup finalist.
With four of the six best third-placed teams in the group progressing, on paper everyone has the opportunity to reach the next round. Much also depends on the matches against the underdogs Albania.
They are not to be underestimated after a strong qualifying campaign, leaving Poland and the Czech Republic behind and playing dangerous counter-attacking soccer.
In this preview, I provide you with the best Spain Croatia odds and my betting tip. The double chance 1X and under 3.5 goals is the best choice at NEObet in my opinion
When I look at the odds of the best betting providers for the European Championship, I look in vain for the absolute top favorites Spain. England, France, Germany, Portugal and only then is Spain listed at Bet365, already with odds of 9.00.
Is the three-time European champion really that weak? In the glorious period from 2008 to 2012, Spain won all the major titles, a national team peppered with absolute world stars. But where does “La Roja” stand now? I’ll also go into this in the preview
The bookmakers’ prediction for Spain – Croatia
In the first game of Group B, Spain is listed as the favorite, but not too clearly. Most bookmakers are offering odds of around 1.90. Betano is going one better with its odds boost in the 1X2 market for all three starting options.
A 1.98 beckons for Spain to win the opener. Anyone betting on Croatia can pick up 4.40. The draw (3.45) is rated somewhat more realistically. It’s difficult to decide on an outcome in a game that points the way ahead and where not all the mechanisms are in place yet
Spain vs Croatia odds: Where to get the highest Spain vs Croatia odds?
Therefore, I can rather advise you to consider the double chance 1X, which is quite low at 1.24, however. If you add over-goal odds, a market in which Betano can provide the best odds, the overall odds look quite different.
However, I don’t see many goals in the clash between Spain and Croatia. In general, the first group matchday between two major soccer nations should start off rather cautiously.
A draw will already help if the mandatory tasks are completed. In most cases, four points should be enough to progress.
I also expect Spain against Croatia to get off to a more relaxed start. In addition to the double chance 1X and under 3.5 goals, you can look forward to 1.60 odds, an absolute top bet in my eyes
Analysis: Spain vs. Croatia
I hardly need to explain Spanish soccer to anyone. Control is everything. In the last test match before the European Championship alone, Luis de la Fuenta’s team, who took over the national team in January 2023, had 79% possession in a 5-1 win over Northern Ireland.
Spain had previously celebrated a 5:0 win over Northern Ireland, which was not a real endurance test. The public got to see one during the international break, a thrilling 3:3 against record world champions Brazil, a clear improvement in performance after a slip-up against Colombia (0:1).
In the friendly matches, there was a lot of experimentation to the detriment of stability. In the last international block, the coach tested a 4-2-3-1 system, which he had already used in the Nations League.
Before the European Championship, he continued with the tried-and-tested 4-3-3 against Northern Ireland and Andorra. Will he also choose this attacking approach against Croatia? The Spain odds show that the Iberians are unlikely to set off any fireworks.
A goal is a fairly safe bet. In the over 1.5 goals market, the stake can already be doubled. The odds for a single goal from Croatia are as high as 1.50, varying from bookmaker to bookmaker
De facto an outstanding betting opportunity. Also because the Croatians showed a respectable performance before the European Championship. Co-favorites Portugal were defeated 2:1 in the European Championship dress rehearsal. If you are convinced of another coup, you can look forward to a first-class odds boost at Neobet in combination with over 2.5 goals.
I, on the other hand, find the 1.50 for the single Croatia goal interesting. Particularly as Andrej Kramaric’s team is generally very accurate. Croatia have scored in their last ten international matches
Analysis of odds
In any case, the men with the stylish checkered jerseys are now known as a tournament team, especially at the World Cup Croatia has annoyed the big nations, finished second in 2018 and was also enough for third place in Qatar.
The last European Championships, on the other hand, were not too exhilarating. In 2016 and 2021, they finished in the round of 16, while their best finish was the quarter-finals in 1996 and 2008.
Betano has odds of 1.30 for Croatia to progress. Spain have odds of 1.06 in this market, but are also considered the hottest contenders to win the group at 1.82. The betting selection at Betano is large in any case. You can also secure a Euro 20 free bet for the European Championship without having to make a deposit.
After Spain’s two resounding victories before the start of the tournament, I also find the 1.80 for the bet that they will score the most goals in Group B lucrative. Croatia are not known for scoring a lot of goals and Italy have not shown their best side recently
Spain vs. Croatia odds: A tight affair?
Thanks to the UEFA Nations League, the big nations now meet more often. There have been a total of six competitive matches between Spain and Croatia. They have played each other three times in the new competition.
The Croats returned the favor by beating Spain 6-0 in the first leg of the group stage in 2018 with a 3-2 win. A year ago, they met again in the final, where a 0-0 draw was followed by a penalty shoot-out in which Spain showed the better nerves.
We didn’t have a winner after 90 minutes at the last European Championship either, when Spain and Croatia played out the round of 16. The game went into extra time tied 3-3, with Alvaro Morata and Mikel Oyarzabal scoring the decisive goals
The fourth European Championship match in a row!
Spain versus Croatia has become a European Championship tradition. The national teams have not only met now and at Euro 2020, but also in the group stage in 2016 and 2012, making it four European Championship tournaments in a row.
In 2012, the eventual tournament winners took home a 1:0 victory, while in 2016 Croatia prevailed (2:1). In terms of results, everything has been there so far. From high-scoring eye-catchers to tired kicks. Based on the opening match situation, I expect a maximum of three goals.
If you want to avoid a combination with the double chance 1X, you could also consider the under 2.5 goals bet as a single option. However, I am convinced that Spain will not lose. The team looks stable and has much more quality
How did Spain and Croatia actually qualify for the European Championship? “La Roja” stumbled over Scotland shortly after a 3:0 win against Norway, but Morata and Co. won all their other games and ended up winning the group with an impressive goal tally of 25:5.
It was more shaky for Croatia. Wales and Armenia were serious rivals in the battle for the coveted places, but in the end it was enough for second place behind Turkey. Croatia conceded just four goals in total, one fewer than Spain in their eight matches
After qualifying, the odds are 0.63 to 0.5 goals conceded per game, which also points to an under-goal bet.
A 2.12 is offered for over 2.5 goals. In the last duel, in the Nations League final, Spain had more chances, but after 120 minutes played, the teams had expected goals of 1.64 to 0.80.
My Spain Croatia tip:
Spain and Croatia are unlikely to take the big risk. I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes into half-time goalless with very few chances. Due to the rule that four of the six best third-placed teams in the group advance, a draw is also a sensible option.
In their last appearances before the European Championship, both nations have also shown themselves to be stable defensively. The Croatians conceded just one goal against Portugal’s powerful attack, which barely let anything slip in qualifying.
And the last clash against Spain also failed to produce any great offensive fireworks. 120 minutes, not a single goal. In terms of play, I think the Spaniards have a much better overall quality in their squad and the fact that they hardly give the ball away at all. However, they are unlikely to want to win the three points by hook or by crook.
Accordingly, my Spain Croatia betting tip is: Double chance 1X & under 3.5 goals
