Euro 2016 preview and odds: Spain vs Czech Republic

Published on: 13/06/2016

Euro 2016 preview and odds: Spain vs Czech Republic

Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse - June 13, 2016

Group stage - Group D

Reigning champions Spain will begin the defence of their title on Monday afternoon when they take on 1976 winners Czech Republic in Group D.

Spain seeking unprecedented third-straight crown

Spain will be looking to exorcise the memory of their disappointing World Cup campaign in Brazil two years ago by winning the European championships for a third time in a row and for a fourth time overall. Vicente del Bosque`s men come into this game in good form having won their last eight competitive matches without conceding a goal.

The Spanish are competing in their sixth consecutive Euro tournament having become the first side to win two in a row in 2012. If they win this edition, they will stand alone as the most successful side in the history of the event - an honour that they currently share with Germany.

Since the Czech Republic gained independence in 1993, they have failed to beat Spain having drawn one and lost three of their four meetings. Prior to independence, Czechoslovakia had the upper hand winning three matches to Spains two in their five competitive meetings.

The Czechs have qualified for the last six European championships. They reached the final back in 1996 where they were beaten by Germany and won the 1976 edition when competing as part of Czechoslovakia.

Form (all competitions):

Spain: LWWDDWWWWW

Czech Republic: LWWDLLWWLW

Betting predictions

Spain may not be quite as attractive to watch as they were four years ago but they still have the ability to mesmerise their opponents. More importantly, they have learned how to grind out results when they are not at their best.

The Czech Republic will be relying on the fitness of Tomas Rosicky and the goalkeeping skills of Petr Cech to inspire them against a side that they have failed to beat in over two decades.

You can back Spain to Win to Nil at 11/10 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 13/06/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (13/06/2016 11:25:53) but are subject to change.