Spain vs France Preview and Betting Tips

When the Nations League was first introduced, I thought it was a load of rubbish. However, after watching the two semi-finals earlier this week, my opinion has changed. They were both pulsating contests and now we can look forward to Spain vs France on Sunday in the final. Will Spain’s youth and exuberance triumph over France’s seasoned campaigners? It promises to be a thrilling tussle, check out our preview and betting tip below.

Spain

There were signs that Luis Enrique’s young Spanish side was making progress at the Euros. They made it all the way to the semis where eventual Champions Italy knocked them out on penalties. Spain then lost their next game, a World Cup Qualifier in Sweden. However, they were likely suffering form a hangover from their summer exertions and they bounced back with wins over Georgia and Kosovo.

They then took on Italy in the Nations League semi-final on Wednesday night. The lively Ferran Torres gave them a deserved lead in the 17th minute and then 25 minutes later, Bonucci was shown a red card. Torres soon doubled Spain’s lead and while there was a few hairy moments after Pellegrini pulled one back late on for the Italians, Spain were full value for their win.

Ferran Torres is a slight injury worry for Sunday but he should be available. Enrique is unlikely to make many changes to the team that won in Milan. Alonso, Azpilicueta, Busquets and Koke bring plenty of experience to the table and they combined really well with the younger players in the team like Torres, Oyarzabal and 17 year old Gavi. It is exciting times for Spanish fans again and this big occasion is going to be a great experience for this emerging team, win, lose or draw.

France

The 2018 World Cup Champions have a very different profile to Spain. Yes, they do have a few youngsters coming through but the spine of their team is packed with experience. They have Lloris and Varane at the back, Pogba (and usually Kante) in the engine room and Benzema and Griezmann up front. France also have Kylian Mbappe and while he is only 22, he already has 50 caps. However, they had a bitterly disappointing campaign at the Euros and the first half of their semi final against Belgium was far from convincing.

However, football is a game of two halves and after falling behind by two goals, France fought back fiercely in the second half. Goals from Benzema and Mbappe drew them level before a late Theo Hernandez thunderbolt sealed a 3-2 win for them. It was a tough, high intensity affair and it could be a big ask for them to repeat that level of performance just three days later.

Didier Deschamps will need to plan without Julien Rabiot who has caught Covid. Either Veretout or Tchouameni could replace him in midfield. Hernandez and Pavard play key roles for France on the flanks and it will be a fascinating battle between those two and Spain’s wing backs. However, given Spain’s ability to retain possession, it could be tough for France to get hold of the ball and it may well be a difficult night for Deschamps’ men.

Spain vs France Possible Lineups

Spain: Unai Simon, Azpilicueta, P. Torres, Laporte, Alonso, Busquets, Koke, Gavi, Sarabia, Oyarzabal, F. Torres.

France: Lloris, Kounde, Varane, L. Hernandez, T. Hernandez, Pogba, Tchouaméni, Pavard, Griezmann Mbappe, Benzema.

Spain vs France Betting Tip

The bookmakers make France the 6/4 favourites to win in 90 minutes. You can get 9/4 about the draw and Spain are 2/1. At the prices, I would rather be with Luis Enrique’s side. They have had an extra day’s rest since their semi-final and France had a much tougher match vs Belgium. The way Spain kept the ball vs Italy was very impressive, even before the red card. You would have to worry about Pogba and whoever partners him in the French midfield. Pogba isn’t too fond of running when he hasn’t got the ball and Spain could get control of the engine room.

Spain did show some defensive frailties vs Italy so I think it is worth backing them to win and both teams to score at odds of 11/2. I also think that the 3/1 about Ferran Torres to score anytime is worth an interest. He has now scored in three successive games for Spain, including a brace vs Italy. The young striker has bagged two goals in four Premier League starts for Man City this season and hopefully he grabs another one on Sunday.

Spain vs France Betting Tip: Spain win/Both Teams to score @ 11/2; Ferran Torres to score anytime @ 3/1

-DaveStevos