Euro 2016 Qualifier preview and odds: Spain vs. Luxembourg

Published on: 08/10/2015

Euro 2016 Qualifier preview and odds: Spain vs. Luxembourg

October 9, 2015 19:45pm Estadio Municipal Las Gaunas, Logrono

Euro 2016 Group C

Reigning European Champions Spain can book their place at the next edition of UEFA`s showpiece international tournament with victory against Luxembourg on Friday night.

Spain continue their title defence

Spain need just three points from their remaining two games to guarantee their place in France next summer. On Friday they have a chance to confirm qualification in what will be their 150th game in the competition.

Whatever happens in the next two games, Spain are assured of a place in the play-offs. However, anything less than automatic qualification would be seen as a drop in standards for the Spanish side and would pile more pressure on Coach Vicente del Bosque.

Luxembourg out to limit damage

Luxembourg have to measure success on their own terms and are still targeting a fourth-place finish in the group. That would represent a massive achievement for one of the competitions smallest countries. However, the game against Spain is likely to be an exercise in damage limitation for Luc Holtz`s team.

When the teams met in Luxembourg back in October, the visitors ran out 4-0 winners to continue their 100% win ratio against the Red Lions. The Luxembourgers have never scored a goal against the Spanish national team.

Team news

Vicente del Bosque has had one crucial selection decision made for him as Diego Costa is serving a one-match ban and will miss this game. The striker has been highly-criticised for his performances in the Spanish shirt, with suggestions that his style of play is ill-suited to La Furia Roja.

The visitors will be without Chris Philipps who is also serving a suspension.

Recent form (Euro Qualifying)

Spain: WWWWW

Luxembourg: LWLLL

Betting odds and tips

Spain have not been beaten at home in UEFA European Championship qualifiers since 2003 and have won their last 31 home games in international tournament qualifiers.

Luxembourg have yet to score in their previous five meeting with Spain and have lost their last six qualification matches on the road.

It will be hard to find any betting value in this game but there are a couple of interesting propositions available. Manual Nolito has been on fire for Celta de Vigo and may have earned himself a start in this game. He can be backed at 4/5 to score anytime or 5/1 to score first with Bet365.

Published on: 08/10/2015

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (08/10/2015 12:35:22) but are subject to change.