Spain became the third team to punch a ticket into the knockout rounds for Euro 2016, but it will surely want to finish the group stage in style by getting at least a point from Croatia to wrap up the Group D title.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Croatia +290
Spain +130
Draw +200
Over/Under 2 (over -135)
ODDS ANALYSIS
It's not often that you see the draw lined under 2 to 1 in any soccer match, but in this one, we have a feeling we're going to see a lower number than that by the time this one kicks off. The number on the draw is set at +200 right now, and we'll discuss why this is likely to drop in just a moment.
Spain is the betting favorite at +130, but the margin isn't convincing by any stretch of the imagination.
The total in this match is low at 2 with -135 vig on the over.
TOURNAMENT UPDATE
The reason the price on the draw is so appealing here is because it's a tremendously favorable result for both sides. Spain needs a draw or a win to advance as the Group D winner. Croatia needs a draw or a win to advance as the Group D runner up. Both would have to be satisfied with a share of the spoils.
Spain has looked a lot more like itself in this tournament than it did in the World Cup two years ago when it was eliminated after just two matches. La Roja have outscored their first two foes by a 4-0 margin, and they've left no doubt whatsoever that they're deserving favorites to win this tournament.
Croatia blew a 2-0 lead against the Czech Republic and will have to bounce back after the 2-2 final score. Croatia did take care of Turkey without much muss or fuss in the opener though, and even if this match is lost, the four points really should be enough to get into the last 16 even if the Czechs do beat Turkey in a match running concurrently in Lens.
LIVE BETTING
Just how much is Spain going to care about putting the ball in the back of the net in this match? We're not really all that sure. The team has now had over 60 percent of the possession in consecutive matches, and its first half against Turkey was about as dominant as could be. Sure, the Crescent Stars made some mistakes at the back, but few teams will punish errors in defense like Spain will when it's given a chance to put one home.
Croatia has had a mind on net with Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic doing most of the damage, but it'll have to be careful in this fixture.
Even if Spain isn't pushing forward a ton, it will surely limit the chances which the Croats have in this match. The end result could be a lot of boring minutes of lulls in play.
QUICK PICK
Spain is the better of the two teams for sure, but there's no way this is going to be the ideal La Roja lineup on the pitch with virtually nothing on the line. Sergio Ramos will surely sit out after picking up a yellow card against Turkey early on, and some of the elder men on this roster like Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas figure to be left out of the Starting XI to let some others try their hand in major international play.
At some point, if this match is still scoreless, it really wouldn't do anything for either team to try to push forward and risk losing the point which it has in hand. The draw is definitely the right play at this price, though don't be afraid to take the half ball with Croatia as well.
Euro 2016 Odds: Croatia 0, Spain 0
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The matchup between Croatia and Spain will kick off on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. ET. This fixture from the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux can be seen live on ESPN.
